Seattle Seahawks: Free Agency Prepper
NFL free agency opens on March 12th at 4:00 PM EST, and with it comes an opportunity for the Seattle Seahawks to improve the roster. While the Seahawks are currently above the cap, they have many ways to get under it and will undoubtedly find ways to create enough money to spend in this year's free agency. This article will examine some players the Seahawks should target this March.
The obvious priority for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency should be to resign linebacker Ernest Jones IV. The Seahawks acquired Jones IV from the Titans at the trade deadline, and he was one of the driving forces behind the defensive surge at the end of the season. Jones IV was an absolute game-changer for the defense, having 94 tackles in just 10 games. The biggest reason for resigning Jones IV is his age; at just 25 years old, likely, his best years are still yet to come. However, Jones IV will not be an easy player to resign, as for all of the reasons above, he will undoubtedly be a coveted free agent. Spotrac projects his future contract as a four-year, $52 million deal, which could increase with a bidding war for his services. While the Seahawks should do everything in their power to resign Jones IV, it would be good to have a backup plan, which is where our first free agent comes in.
The New York Jets significantly underperformed this season, but if I had to pick one bright spot, it would be Jamien Sherwood. The Jets drafted Sherwood in the fifth round of the 2021 draft as a safety. The Jets eventually had Sherwood transfer from safety to linebacker, which has gone very well. Sherwood totaled 158 tackles in 17 games last season, up from just 48 the year prior. Due to Sherwood's origins as a safety, he is very skilled in pass coverage, an area where potential running mate Tyrice Knight struggles, meaning they could form a good duo. Sherwood, like Jones IV, is also only 25 years old, and considering he is still relatively new to being a linebacker, he likely has a lot of upside that has yet to be tapped into. Spotract currently projects Sherwood to be signed to a two-year deal worth $16 million, making him a cheaper alternative with a similar upside to Jones IV.
The second player I want to highlight is former pro-bowl center Ryan Kelly. For the past decade, the Seahawks' center position has been a revolving door, with 11 different starting centers. If the Seahawks want to be competitive, they need to stabilize the center position, which Kelly would do perfectly. Kelly is a former first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts who has become a four-time pro bowler, with his last appearance being in 2023; Kelly was also named a second-team All-pro back in 2020. The biggest downside to Kelly is his age, as he is 31 years old, and his best years are likely behind him. Even as Kelly has aged, he has still been playing at a high level, as his 73.2 PFF pass-blocking grade over the past three seasons ranks fourth among 28 qualifying centers. Spotrac currently projects Kelly's value to be around $10 million a year, a more than reasonable amount for a player who could bring consistency to a position lacking it for the past decade.
The final free agent is wide receiver Rondale Moore. It is a real possibility that Tyler Lockett will not be playing for the Seahawks next season, which leaves the team with questions surrounding the wide receiver position, questions Moore would answer. The Cardinals drafted Moore in the 2021 draft, but he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons last season. Moore did not suit up for the Falcons in 2024 due to his knee injury at practice. Still, he showcased much talent during his tenure with Arizona, where he showcased his potential with 54 receptions for 435 yards and a touchdown in his rookie season. Rondale Moore could also contribute to special teams as a returner, another position in which the Seahawks have struggled to stabilize. Due to his injury, Moore will be in the bargain bin this free agency; Spotrac values his services at only $1.5 million, which is an absolute steal for a player like Moore. If Moore can regain some of his past success, he could be a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Seahawks.
Those are the free agents the Seahawks should target this offseason. As free agency draws closer, more information will become available, which I will surely cover in this blog.
Go Hawks!
