2017 Free Agency Preview: Seattle Seahawks

[Editor’s note: This preview was originally published on Feb. 27, 2017, and updated on March 6 to reflect changes in the market do to franchise tags, re-signings, cuts, etc.]

What you need to know

The Seahawks’ one glaring weakness the last few seasons on an otherwise strong roster has been the play of their offensive line. With 238 total pressures surrendered in 2016, Seattle’s line once again ranked among the league’s worst and absolutely must be addressed this offseason. Though adding pieces up front should be priority, landing both a starting corner opposite Richard Sherman and a disruptive interior defender will be key for the Seahawks during free agency.

Salary cap room

$25,931,999 (20th in NFL; as of 3/6/17)

Biggest needs

• Offensive tackle
• Cornerback
• Defensive interior
• Safety

Notable free agents

• Michael Morgan, OLB, 71.3 overall grade in 2016
• Tony McDaniel, DI, 68.7
• Luke Willson, TE, 53.3
• Kelcie McCray, S, 47.8
• Bradley Sowell, LT, 34.0
• Steven Hauschka, K

Must re-sign

N/A

The Seahawks find themselves in an enviable position this offseason with essentially no integral pieces of their roster set to become unrestricted free agents. Each of Seattle’s impending UFAs are either performing at a low level, haven’t contributed significant snap totals, or are past their prime, meaning there is no “must re-sign” player in this year’s crop of free agents for the Seahawks.

Dream splash

Andrew Whitworth, LT, Cincinnati Bengals, 91.3 overall grade in 2016

PFF’s second-highest-graded tackle in 2016, Whitworth surrendered just 14 total pressures in all of 2016 and would provide QB Russell Wilson the blindside protection he’s desperately been lacking. Whitworth’s age (35) is certainly a consideration, but if Seattle can get two or three more years of top-level production out of him it would go a long way toward securing their spot among the NFC favorites.

Top 2017 free agency prospects

Kelvin Beachum, LT, Jacksonville Jaguars, 44.3

Signing Beachum would come with expectations that he can return to the level of play that saw him finish 2014 as the fifth-highest-graded tackle in the league. An ACL injury in 2015 and a subpar 2016 campaign may have some people cooling on his stock, but at just 27 years old and with the potential he’s shown, Beachum is worth taking a chance on for a Seattle team in desperate need of tackle help.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Cincinnati Bengals, 74.7 

At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Dre Kirkpatrick fits the physical profile of a Seahawks corner and would help fill the gaping hole opposite Richard Sherman in the Seattle secondary. He’s had an up-and-down career to this point but showed significant improvement in 2016, ranking 16th in the league with a 68.9 passer rating allowed into his coverage.

Calais Campbell, DI, Arizona Cardinals, 90.4

With three defensive ends ranking in the top-20 in total pressures in 2016, the Seahawks are in good shape on the edge of their defense. It’s the interior of their line that could use some work, as none of their inside rushers earned a pass-rush grade higher than 52.0 last season. With 56 total pressures in 2016 to lead all interior defenders, Campbell would instantly resolve that issue. Though he’s coming from a 3-4 alignment the transition to Seattle’s front shouldn’t be an issue as Campbell actually lined up at 3-technique on 71.3 percent of his snaps last season.