Seahawks free agent search focused on DL depth
By Dan Viens
The Seahawks have more visits planned with unrestricted free agents this week, and it appears their focus is on finding help for the defensive line.
It’s not hard to figure out where the Seahawks feel their most immediate roster need is at the moment, all you have to do is look at the agenda today at the team’s headquarters in Renton.
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Multiple reports have defensive tackles Sammie Lee Hill (Tennessee) and Brandon Thompson (Cincinnati) at the VMAC today visiting with the team. The Seahawks have already met with DT’s Cam Thomas (Pittsburgh) and Sealver Siliga (New England) and DE Chris Clemons (Jacksonville).
Seattle was able to keep Ahtyba Rubin, signing their own free agent to a new 3 year deal last week, but saw 9 year vet Brandon Mebane leave to take a more lucrative offer from the Chargers. That leaves them short on the defensive line.
Most of the D-linemen they’ve met with so far are rotational players, and more specifically they’re all two down, run-stuffing specialists. Obviously this makes sense given the fact there isn’t a lot of salary cap space left to make a bigger move, but it may also indicate the team is planning on dipping into whats considered an outstanding and deep group of defensive tackles in next month’s draft.
Hill bounced around for a bit before landing in Tennessee. He’s started 30 games over the last three years with the Titans, totaling 71 tackles and three sacks. He’s 6’4″ and 328 pounds. Thompson (6’2″, 320 lbs) has been a key rotational DT for the Bengals the last couple years, but suffered a torn ACL in the regular season finale. He most likely would have to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
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Currently Seattle lists only four true DT’s on their roster: Rubin and Jordan Hill, who when healthy has been a key reserve the last two years, in addition to developmental players Justin Hamilton and A.J. Francis. Demarcus Dobbs can also play some tackle. Frank Clark, who looked great as a rookie last year playing tackle in nickel packages, appears to be grooming himself to move to OLB, shedding over 20 pounds this off season.