Five positions Seahawks MUST address in free agency

RUNNING BACK:

It’s almost a certainty that Marshawn Lynch has stiff-armed his last would-be tackler in a Seahawk uniform, and the team has been planning for this day ever since they structured his latest deal in such a way as to almost ensure 2015 would be his last. Undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls was impressive while filling in for an injured Lynch, before breaking his ankle and ending the season on injured reserve. Rawls is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp, and Christine Michael flashed some potential in his second go-round in Seattle when he was signed late in the season. But we’re talking about small sample sizes for both players. With a team that puts so much emphasis on the running game, might Seattle be tempted to sign another established back to work in tandem with Rawls?

If that’s the way they want to go, and understanding that big money running back deals are essentially a thing of the past, there are some free agents available who could help out for less than the $6.5 million Seattle will save by releasing or trading Lynch:

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay, 27, $2.2 million 2015 cap hit. With an outstanding rookie year and 2015 sandwiched around sub par production in 2013 and 2014, Martin has shown the all-around ability to be a feature back. He’s rushed for 3,806 yards and added 873 receiving in his young career. He’s built almost identically to Rawls (both 5’9″ and about 220 lbs) and could form a dangerous tandem with him.

Chris Ivory, NY Jets, 27, $2.75 million. Does anyone else in the NFL look more like Lynch than Ivory? Dreadlocks, hard running style and all. Ivory shed the injury-prone label last year, rushing for 1,000 yards and 7 TD’s for the Jets. ESPN’s Rich Cimini expects New York (who face big-time salary cap issues) to let Ivory go. Meanwhile Ivory is said to be seeking an annual salary of about $4 million, which means you could replace Lynch with BeastMode Light (Ivory) and Rawls for less than the $6.5 million Seattle will save by releasing him.

Lamar Miller, Miami, 24, $1.6 million. A major home run hitter who’s never been used properly in Miami, Miller may not be the physical runner Seattle prefers, but would be a dynamic compliment to Rawls. 

Alfred Morris, Washington, 27, $1.6 million. A big and productive back, but one who probably doesn’t catch the ball well enough to be an ideal fit. He would be an affordable, quality option though.

Chris Polk, Houston, 26, $750,000. Polk says he almost signed with Seattle last preseason before Houston offered more money. A former UW player who also contributes on special teams, Polk might be an ideal complimentary fit at a value.

Next: Dipping into the cornerback pool again