Grading Seahawks free agent signings so far in 2019
By Lee Vowell
The Bs
For B grades a player should be expected to have a positive impact on the Seahawks season, if not really be a true star. Of course, the higher the grade when signing a free agent the greater the risk. If Seattle is expecting a player to be an important part of the team’s success, the player better contribute or the team will suffer.
Mike Iupati
This is a boom or bust signing for Seattle. Mike Iupati made four straight Pro Bowls between 2012 and 2015. Then injuries set in and in the last two years Iuapti has missed more games than he has played. In fact, Iupati has missed 21 games and played in just 11.
That said, he still has the potential to be an excellent run blocker and at 32 years old could still be productive for a few more seasons. If Iupati can stay healthy, not only is he better than Seattle’s 2018 starter at guard, J.R. Sweezy, he could also be a near-Pro Bowl quality guard. But if he can’t stay healthy, Seattle just wasted money.
Al Woods
Al Woods is kind of the defensive line equivalent to Iupati. Woods may not have ever had the upside that Iupati had but both players are expected to do the dirty work on the interior of the line. Seattle will be the fifth team that Woods has played on in his nine-year career. There must be a reason he has bounced around so much.
But what the Seahawks need is what Woods can fulfill. He can help stop the run that Seattle has been unable to stop consistently the last few seasons. If Woods does his job efficiently, Seattle is a better team.