Grading the Seahawks offseason moves prior to the NFL draft
By Andy Excell
I have broken this article down by acquisition (either by trade or from free agency), confirmed departures via free agency, free agents the Seahawks have re-signed to new deals, and what they might do with the remaining free agents who were part of the Seahawks roster in 2020.
To do this, we need to look at all the different aspects of free agency and also what has been done in terms of trades and what could be done in the upcoming draft.
Let’s start by looking at the players the Seahawks have acquired via trade or free agency.
New Seahawks acquired
Gabe Jackson represents a much-needed replacement at guard for the retiring Mike Iupati but is still a slight downgrade on Iupati. PFF graded Iupati at 67.8 compared to 63.7 for Jackson. $9.3 million is a lot of money to pay Jackson, but for a savvy veteran replacement that the Seahawks needed is OK.
The Seahawks also gave up their fifth round pick in this year’s draft to get Jackson. Incidentally, this is a pick I had mocked Seattle to use on a guard (Jack Anderson from Texas Tech).
But picking up Jackson is a better move at this time.
Grade: B-
Gerald Everett
The acquisition of Everett at tight end is not a good one for me. You are paying $6-7 million a year for a guy who averages 22.7 yards per game receiving and 2.1 TD a season. Nowhere near enough bang for the bucks.
You could get better statistical performance from Jordan Reed for $1 million, albeit with some health concerns or 16.5 yards receiving per game and 2 TD’s a season from Jesse James who has been released by the Lions and would probably cost around $2 million a year.
The Seahawks coaches may see something in Everett that I do not, but unless that is the case this is a very poor deal.
Grade: D-