Grading free agents Seahawks have signed so far for 2019

The Seahawks have signed five free agents so far for 2019. Here are their grades as far as importance for next season.

The Seahawks don’t make many big money signings in free agency. They won’t be on anyone’s list for the most dramatic contracts given out. But Seattle does make important moves and ones they think will help the team at an affordable cost.

So far this offseason, Seattle has signed five free agents. Three of the players were with Seattle in 2018. One player might have the ability to shape the Seahawks’ playoff hopes. Here are the grades based on importance for this coming season.

 Seahawks unrestricted free agents who have re-signed with Seattle

K.J. Wright, linebacker

Contract: Two years for $15 million

Wright only played in five games for Seattle last year. Except for the very end of the season, he seemed limited in what he could do physically. Prior to 2018, Wright had missed one game in the previous four years. He is a good player and knows how to work off what fellow linebacker Bobby Wagner wants to do. Chemistry is the key to Wright’s success with Wagner and it is good to have Wright back.

Grade: B+

Mychal Kendricks, linebacker

Contract: One year with a max of $5.3 million

Kendricks filled in for Wright in 2018 for four games and was really good. He was able to get pressure on the quarterback in a way that Wright can’t do. Plus, Kendricks is an excellent tackler. If he and Wright are both healthy this year, and teamed with Wagner, Seattle may have the best linebacker trio in the NFL. Kendricks is set for a hearing on whether he will receive prison tim for insider trading in April, though. If he can’t play in 2019 due to going to jail, his contract is null and void.

Grade: B

D.J. Fluker, right guard

Contract: Two years and up to $9 million total

The Seahawks lost J.R. Sweezy to free agency. Seattle had both starting guards in 2018 be free agents this offseason. The more important one to sign was Fluker. Fluker brings a physicality that Seattle needs along its offensive line. He is also good in the locker room. Is he the best offensive guard ever? No. But he is good in Seattle.

Grade: B

Players Seahawks have signed who were unrestricted free agents with other teams

Mike Iupati, left guard

Contract: One year and not yet announced how much

Iupati will likely replace Sweezy at left guard in 2019. He is a veteran who was very good and healthy early in his career. The last two seasons? Not so much. Still, Iupati is a very good run blocker and this is what the Seahawks want.

Grade: C, but with excellent potential

Jason Myers, kicker

Contract: Four years with a max of $15.5 million

Myers has the potential to shape the Seahawks getting into the playoffs or not. And this doesn’t just go for 2019. Myers will be 28 years old and could be in Seattle for many years. Along with punter Michael Dickson, Seattle might have the best kicking game in the league. Now he just has to do the same thing he did in 2018: Prove he is Pro Bowl worthy and worthy of his new big contract.

Grade: A