Five edge rushers Seahawks should sign in 2021 free agency

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston (99) yells in celebration while leaving the field after the Colts' 15-13 win over the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019.Indianapolis Colts Denver Broncos Week 8
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston (99) yells in celebration while leaving the field after the Colts' 15-13 win over the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019.Indianapolis Colts Denver Broncos Week 8 /
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Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Benson Mayowa

The Seahawks need to bring back one of their own free agent edge rushers, Benson Mayowa. Mayowa is unlikely to ever make a Pro Bowl but he has become one of the more consistent defensive ends in the NFL and is great in a rotation. Plus, he is cost-effective.

In 2020, Mayowa signed a $3 million deal to play with Seattle and because of the reduced salary cap and a lot of edge rushers on the market this offseason, Mayowa isn’t likely to get much more, if any, than the $3 million he made last year. But in any other year, maybe he should.

A year after having 7 sacks for the Raiders in 2019, Mayowa had 6 for Seattle in 2020. That was third on the Seahawks. Mayowa also was fourth in tackles-for-loss for Seattle with 7, fifth in quarterback hits with 9 and led the team with 2 forced fumbles. All numbers worthy of bringing Mayowa back in 2021.

Like Aldon Smith, signing Mayowa to a one-year deal would be a smart move for the Seahawks. Mayowa is a productive player whose relatively low contract would allow other players to be signed and make the team better overall.