12th Man Rising
FanSided

Seahawks need to target these four during the second wave of free agency

By Geoff Shull

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: Carlos Dunlap II #43 and K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks warm up prior to their game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: Carlos Dunlap II #43 and K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks warm up prior to their game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 09: Carlos Dunlap #43 of the Seattle Seahawks lines up for play in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 09: Carlos Dunlap #43 of the Seattle Seahawks lines up for play in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Player 2: Carlos Dunlap, defensive end

I spoke of Carlos Dunlap on the opening page. He was the best player on the defensive line and it wasn’t all that close. The team’s defense didn’t start to turn around until the line could hold its own. Dunlap helped make that happen.

The Seahawks had an agreement in place with Dunlap after reworking his contract in which they were to release him if an extension couldn’t be agreed to. With zero dollars in dead cap if released and a $14 million saved if cut, the team made the right choice. Dunlap needed to be released.

It was a gamble. It appears to have paid off. With free agency firmly in the second-to-third phase and many teams running low on cash, Dunlap’s market value is at an all-time low.

I have heard of 2 teams being highly connected to Dunlap; the Ravens, and the Seahawks. I fully expect the Seahawks will focus on solving their depth issue on the defensive line next. A move will likely be made this week for the defensive line player.

Dunlap would be my player of preference. In 8 games with the Seahawks, Dunlap amassed 23 pressures, 5 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss, and a pressure rate of 11%. By Dunlap’s standards that was a down year. I fully expect with a full year under his belt he will come back and make an even bigger impact next year.

Projected contract: 2 years, $15 million (incentives to push to $19 million)

Cap hits:

  • 2021: $6 million
  • 2022: $9 million
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