Potential free agent cornerback options for the Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks need to add at least one cornerback this offseason. That became very clear when it was announced that Jeremy Lane has a torn ACL and won’t be ready for the start of the 2015 season.

On Friday we learned from Pete Carroll that Tharold Simon needs shoulder surgery, and also may not be ready for the start of the 2015 season. That leaves the Seahawks with just two CBs on the roster who have played more than a handful of snaps in the NFL.

Clearly, the Seahawks need to draft another CB this year, but that alone won’t solve this problem. They also will almost certainly need to sign a stopgap free agent for the 2015 season as well.

With that in mind, here is a list of six free agents that the could be in play for the Seahawks. I’ve listed them in order of decreasing projected cost.

Rashean Mathis

Mathis is probably the best player on this list, and that means that it is likely that he’s going to be the most costly to re-sign. Mathis is a great fit for Seattle’s defense. He’s got good length, and plays well in press coverage.

Mathis is also 34 and has only won one playoff game in his entire career. That’s what happens when you spend your entire career in Jacksonville and Detroit. Hopefully that will mean that Mathis will be willing to take less from Seattle for the chance to finally get a ring before he gets too old.

Chris Culliver

The 49ers have some serious salary cap issues at the moment. This means that they’re going to see a number of their free agents walk this offseason and that includes Culliver.

Culliver has been arguably their best CB for the past few seasons. He’s best suited to play in the slot, but has the length and speed to play outside when needed. That kind of versatility will be valuable for Seattle next season.

It’ll also be valuable for other teams too. Plus Culliver is young. While he isn’t going to cost as much as it would require to re-sign Maxwell, it is possible that Culliver is simply going to cost too much for the Seahawks to pursue.

Charles Tillman

Peanut Tillman played in just two games last season and only eight the year before. His best years are behind him, but he clearly still has something left in the tank if he wants to continue playing.

Tillman will have plenty of options if he decides to play in 2015, but Seattle should be an attractive possible landing spot. Tillman has played his entire career in Chicago, meaning he’s only made the playoffs three times and currently doesn’t have a ring. That is something that can change if he comes to Seattle.

Darius Butler

Butler is another guy who’s built like a slot cornerback, and he doesn’t have much experience on the outside. He’s actually very similar to Marcus Burley, who played well for the Seahawks in 2014 when he was able to get onto the field.

He’s also young enough that a short-term deal probably isn’t likely. He shouldn’t require a huge contract, but it is very unlikely that he signs a one-year deal. For Butler to be in play for Seattle, the Seahawks will have to believe that he can be a semi-long-term solution in the slot.

Patrick Robinson

The New Orleans Saints are in in salary cap hell this offseason, so there is almost no chance that they’ll be able to retain a player like Robinson. Robinson isn’t a special player, but he can hold his own in man coverage and would provide nice depth for the Seahawks.

As with a lot of the players on this list, Robinson is a guy who has done his best work in the slot. He can play on the outside too, but that isn’t where he excels.

Walter Thurmond

The Seahawks and their fans are completely familiar with Thurmond, who has only been gone for one year. Thurmond didn’t find much of a market for his services last season, and ended up signing a one-year “prove it” deal with the Raiders.

Unfortunately, Thurmond was hurt before the season and never played in 2014. He’s now going to just be looking for an opportunity to rebuild his potential free agent value to hopefully get a decent contract a year from now.

Thurmond knows the scheme, and the Seahawks know that he can excel in it when he’s healthy. While his injury history makes signing him a bit risky, the price should be low enough to make it worth the risk.