Three free agent edge rushers Seahawks could sign to replace L.J. Collier

Even with a healthy L.J. Collier, the Seahawks still need pass rushers. Here are three players they could still get in free agency that would be help.

The Seahawks learned on Tuesday that rookie defensive end L.J. Collier is going to be out for a bit. Collier left practice with a high ankle sprain and will be out an unknown amount of time. But even with Collier, Seattle needs help getting to the opposing quarterback. Collier is just a rookie. Jarran Reed is out until after six weeks into the season after being suspended.

No need to panic (yet!), though, 12s. There are still free agents available who could be valuable to Seattle in 2019. Here are three Seattle could scoop up, if the price is reasonable.

Muhammed Wilkerson

Wilkerson comes with some baggage, clearly. He hasn’t been known as a great locker room guy and his production has been inconsistent. Still, Wilkerson has potential and is just 29 years old. Twice Wilkerson has had double-digit sack totals in his career.

The fact that Wilkerson remains a free agent could be due to his recent injury issues (he played just three games in 2018). Or maybe he wants too much money. But he is starting to run out of time to sign a contract prior to the season starting. Plus, if he wants to prove himself to earn his next contract, Seattle might be the place for him.

Nick Perry

I predicted Perry would sign with the Seahawks in May and I have been wrong. Perry probably won’t sign with Seattle as Seattle took a peek at Perry and passed this offseason. But like Wilkerson, Perry is just 29 years old.

Perry, though, gets hurt. A lot. So how much he has left is up for debate. He does have the capability to get to the opposing quarterback, however, and might be worth taking a chance on. Perry had 11 sacks in 2016.

Michael Johnson

Johnson is 32 years old and doesn’t seem to have a lot left. But he could still be a potential fit with the Seahawks simply because he has the savvy to produce at some level. He won’t expected to come in and start; He would just play a reserve role.

If Johnson is willing to not take much pay, he could be a solid fit with Seattle. Plus, Seattle plays Johnson’s former team, the Bengals, in week one of the regular season so Johnson will have some extra motivation to begin the year.