Signing Julius Thomas A Good Idea For The Seahawks?

The Seattle Seahawks have the salary cap space to pickup a big name free agent this offseason. According to one report, they’ll be going after a big time tight end in Julius Thomas.

March 10th, the start of free agency, is right around the corner. Here are some dates to keep in mind.

March 2nd: Deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 7th-10th: Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2014 contracts at 4 p.m. ET on March 10th.

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Why are theses dates considered key? Franchise, transition tags, and re-signings will diminish top free agents in the market. According to Joel Correy, the last time a team used a transition tag was last year with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers before that it was last used in 2008. Guys like

Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Demaryius Thomas

and

Justin Houston

could be franchised before free agency hits.

However, one free agent that will certainly test the market is buzzing around Seahawks fans early on is tight end Julius Thomas. According to Matt Bowen, league sources says that the Seahawks could be in play for the 2x Pro Bowler once he hits the market.

"“The Seahawks are looking to upgrade the tight end position, and league sources say Julius Thomas could be in play once he hits the free-agent market. Thomas would give quarterback Russell Wilson a true matchup weapon to target inside the numbers and in the red zone. Think of “50-50″ balls that Thomas can go up and get at the point of attack.” – Matt Bowen"

If you remember, the Seahawks had interest in Thomas last year when it was reported that the Seahawks tried to trade Percy Harvin for him. Also, Pete Carroll knows a thing or two about Thomas’s father.

The Seahawks have certainly been lacking the tight end position and Thomas would be a massive upgrade to a Zach Miller whose health as of late is hurting their cap. The Seahawks need a weapon for Russell Wilson specially if Marshawn Lynch hangs up the cleats. I asked Davis Hsu from FeildGulls.com, a cap guru “What is the projection of APY(average per year) Julius Thomas is seeking?” He responded with, “8-9M per year.” Makes sense with Thomas rejecting an offer from the Denver Broncos that would have paid him around 8M per year if he accepted.

Can the Seahawks afford Thomas? Our own Keith Myers had an answer.

@ReyGoober @C_tumbarello Seahawks have a lots of cap space, and can get more by cutting Miller. the dif in cap needed for JT is doable.
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) February 19, 2015

I’m no expert with the cap but I do know that 9M is pretty high for a player that raises a few flags. In my last article I ranked Julius Thomas as my number 1 tight end in free agency. However, I also questioned Thomas’s work ethic. Recent statements have come out against the tight end from former teammates in Denver. Brandon Spano who covers the Broncos asked a former teammate of Thomas’s who seem to have no problem shedding some light.

"“Julius is here to get his money and get out,” one teammate told me last week. “That’s just how some guys are. He didn’t grow up playing this game and it’s just not in his DNA to put it all out there.” When asked if Julius Thomas was soft like some say, he said, ” Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” According to the teammate, Julius Thomas was healthy enough to play multiple times last season but refused to. In one instance Julius Thomas was heard saying, “I’m about 90% – I’m getting close.”"

The player went on and also said, “Julius Thomas plays football because he can but not because he has to. He has no long-term aspirations for it and is not looking to make a lengthy career out of it.”

Those are quite the accusations. Why would you want a player with that kind of mindset in any locker room let alone a locker room who just cleaned up the drama that was hurting the team?

Thomas possesses excellent size coupled with enough speed, has a vertical game and can help in pass protection. He could really help a team, especially in the Seahawks situation but once paid, then what? Can you expect the same level of play that was showcased in Denver? Can you get the commitment and dedication from a guy who played basketball his whole life and had not played collegiate football prior to 2010?

If you want a ring, I say pay the man. If you just want to get paid, the Jaguars or Raiders will be happy to provide the checks.

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