5 free agents the Seattle Seahawks should avoid in 2024

Seattle should avoid linebacker Patrick Queen

Seattle might have to completely rework its linebacker room this offseason. Starter Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks are free agents as well as backup Devin Bush. Seattle probably should think of drafting an inside linebacker fairly high in the 2024 NFL draft even if Brooks and Wagner return. Wagner is getting older and will need to be replaced sooner than later.

The Seahawks should not go after Patrick Queen in free agency, though, because Queen is a bit inconsistent, will be too expensive, and misses too many tackles. In 2023, Queen missed 9.5 percent of his tackle attempts and that is only the third lowest number of his career. In his first two years he missed at least 12.5 percent of his tackle attempts. Wagner, in comparison, has never missed that large of percentage of tackle attempts and this year missed 4.2. Plus, while Queen did get 3.5 sacks this year, he got none after Week 6.

Seahawks should avoid defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins

Seattle is likely going to need to find an interior defensive lineman or two. Leonard Williams was excellent after being traded for about a third of the way through the season, but he is a free agent. Rankins might be a little less expensive than Williams and is about the same age. Rankins, like Williams, does provide some interior pass rush, but the Houston Texans free agent is not good against the run.

The Seahawks bad run defense was a major reason that head coach Pete Carroll got fired. For the new coach to come in and be successful, Seattle has to learn to stop the run. That is unlikely to happen if Seattle signs Rankins.