Seattle Seahawks: A detailed plan for how to make 2022 better
By Geoff Shull
![SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks interact on the sidelines during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Lumen Field on January 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks interact on the sidelines during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Lumen Field on January 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2F12thmanrising-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1362619938-850x560-229e650c5708158c1f65686c976bc6aa101ac655791440ba153155e1a11cb7c1.jpg)
What does this mean for the Seahawks free agency?
I highly expect most of the players I have re-signed on here to be re-signed. The current regime appreciates continuity and saw massive development toward the tail-end of the season.
Summary: (starting True cap is $31.5 million)
- Players re-signed: Duane Brown, DJ Reed, Gerald Everett, Ethan Pocic, Rashaad Penny, Ryan Neal, Bryan Mone, John Reid, Penny hart, Tanner Muse (cost in 2022 cap hits is $25 million).
- Players that are being released: Chris Carson, Kerry Hyder, and Benson Mayowa (savings in 2022 cap hits are $10 million) *includes savings from cut and re-sign of Jason Meyers
- Players traded: DK Metcalf for a mid-first-round pick and a 4th round selection in 2022 (savings of $1.2 million), Carlos Dunlap for a 5th round pick ($1 million in savings).
- Players extended: Bobby Wagner and Poona Ford are both extended in this example. Between the two, the Seahawks should be able to recoup around $11 million in cap space.
- Available funds to spend in free agency: $29.7 million
In free agency, the team will need to focus on the defensive line. There are a lot of quality vets that are going to be available. I wrote in greater detail about who I would want the Seahawks to focus on here.
Some notable names available:
Offense:
- Allen Robinson WR (buy low on a talented WR).
- Davante Adams WR (unlikely but would be a huge get).
- Jamison Crowder WR (sneaky productive WR).
- Mike Williams, WR (big target who is elite on the deep ball).
- Odell Beckham Jr. WR (big play waiting to happen)
- Christian Kirk WR (who doesn’t love improving your team while weakening a division rival?)
- Melvin Gordon RB (a perfect complement to Penny w/o the injury history).
- Morgan Moses RT ( an upgrade at RT with Jake Curhan sliding back to the backup).
Defense:
- Vonn Miller DE (Stop trying to draft the next Vonn Miller and just sign him).
- Chandler Jones DE (a true game wrecker of the defensive end).
- Calais Campbell DL (Can play anywhere on the DL and produce).
- Jerry Hughes DE (late in his career but very productive. Perfect relief pitcher).
- Haason Reddick DE (a late blossoming player with two back-to-back 10-sack seasons).
- Akiem Hicks DT (Perfect pairing to Poona Ford at 3T).
- Melvin Ingram DE (KC’s defense didn’t produce until Ingram showed up).
- J.C. Jackson CB (the top cornerback available and turnover machine).
Not every player will be signed to Seattle. However, every player on this list would help improve the Seahawks roster. The three players I believe the Seahawks should aggressively try to sign are:
- Chandler Jones, DE: 3 years, $51 million. The team desperately needs a true game-changer at the defensive end position. Darrell Taylor has shown promise. However, he needs a counterpart. Jones is an absolute monster and should be aggressively pursued.
- Akiem Hicks, DT: 2 years, $15 million. Hicks may not be the player he once was. However, he is the perfect complement to a defensive line that consists of Darrell Taylor, Poona Ford, and Chandler Jones. He shores up the middle of the line while adding interior pass rushing-promise.
- Odell Beckham Jr, WR: 2 years, $15 million. Beckham’s reputation took a major downward turn during his tenure with the Browns and the end of the Giants era. However, now that he has a consistent and competent quarterback he is seeing a career revival. If Metcalf is traded, Odell is exactly the type of option the Seahawks should target on a low-cost, team-friendly deal.