Re-grading the Seattle Seahawks 2021 free agent signings

The Cs

Kerry Hyder, Jr.

I grappled with putting Hyder, Jr. as a D. He did not produce anywhere near the same results as he did in 2020 when he was with the 49ers. Last year, Hyder, Jr. had 8.5 sacks. This year, he had 1.5 with the 1 coming in Week 18. But Hyder, Jr. did finish fourth on the team in quarterback hits with 11. Hyder, Jr. is signed through next year but Seattle could release him and save $2 million.

Ethan Pocic

For most of the year, Pocic was heading towards an F. The offensive line was not good once again this year and after Pocic became the full-time starter again in Week 8 there was only a slight immediate improvement. But as the season wore on Pocic got better and better. Pocic is a better run blocker than in pass protection and Pro Football Focus gave him a run-block grade of 77.1 this year. That was 12th in the NFL.

Carlos Dunlap

If someone watched no Seahawks football this season and went to check the statistics they would think I was crazy for giving Dunlap a C. Dunlap was second on the team in quarterback hits with 14 and first in sacks with 8.5. But through Week 14, Dunlap had just 1.5 sacks and 5 QB hits so most of his last came in the last four games.

Like Mayowa, however, Norton, Jr. is to blame for the way Dunlap was used this year (dropping more into coverage and basically playing a 3-4 instead of a 4-3) and Dunlap’s early lack of productivity.

Geno Smith

I wanted to give Smith a B but he only played in three games and one quarter. Smith started three games and Seattle went 1-2 in those games though the losses weren’t Smith’s fault for the most part. He did have a costly fumble against the Steelers, though, and that turned the game. Since the season ended, Smith has been arrested for suspicion of DUI and is likely done with the Seahawks.