Ranking Seahawks lost to free agency by importance to 2019

The Seahawks haven’t made a big splash in free agency as expected. However, Seattle has lost some important players to other teams.

The Seahawks hardly ever sign a big name free agent on day one of free agency. 2019 is no different. But Seattle did lose several players this offseason. Some of these players we knew would not be back, or at least assumed they would not be. Here is a ranking of Seahawks lost so far in free agency in importance of how big of a loss it will be to Seattle next year.

6. Brett Hundley

Hundley was the backup to Russell Wilson last year. He didn’t play a down. And in Seattle we hope whomever backs up Wilson never has to play a down out of necessity. Did Hundley do a good job with Seattle? Who knows. Nor will we know if he would ever have been good with the Seahawks. Seattle can find a backup as good as Hundley fairly easily.

5. Shamar Stephen

Stephen was in Seattle for just one season. He was mediocre. The defensive tackle was signed last offseason to help stop the run and Seattle struggled against the run a lot. Plus, Poona Ford will pick up Stephen’s snaps and probably be more productive.

4. Mike Davis

Davis was a good backup to Chris Carson last season. Rashaad Penny was drafted in the first round in 2018, though, and he should really either be the starter or a number two. Davis was not going to get as many snaps this coming year as he did last season. He was expendable.

3. J.R. Sweezy

Sweezy was solid in 2018. He was one of two free agent guards for the Seahawks, D.J. Fluker being the other. Fluker is more important to sign and may be the cheaper option anyway. Also, Jordan Timmons played well in limited time when he filled in for Sweezy last year.

2. Earl Thomas

Why is Thomas second on this list? He is the best player of the six Seattle has lost but he also missed most of 2018 and Seattle made the playoffs anyway. Thomas is still a good player. But Seattle learned to play without him.

1. Justin Coleman

Coleman was excellent at nickel cornerback the last two years with Seattle. He held down a position that the Seahawks did not have to be concerned about. Now slot corner is an unknown. Akeem King will probably be given a chance to start in place of Coleman and Seattle was never going to pay Coleman the $9 million a year he will be making with his new team, the Lions. Still, Seattle might regret not having Coleman on the field next season.