One NFL expert is positively giddy over this Seahawks free agent signing

We learned a few things this offseason about the Seattle Seahawks. It is clear that the team goes all-in when they make changes. Not only is almost the entire coaching staff new, but the roster is going to look a lot different in 2024 than it did in 2023. Pete Carroll was only removed from his duties a few months ago, but his tenure almost seems like a distant memory.

But we also learned, or at least had it confirmed to us, that Seattle's philosophy of not being overly aggressive in free agency was not a Pete Carroll idea and instead one led by general manager John Schneider. Before 2023, Seattle used to wait, and wait, and wait some more before making a big move. Last offseason was a bit of a lie, however, as Schneider did grab some players early in free agency, such as defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones.

Even this offseason things seemed like they might be different. Schneider released several players and cleared off tens of millions of cap space in order to bring in high-dollar free agents. That was the hope anyway, but Seahawks fans were disappointed if they did hope for that. Instead, Schneider mostly brought in players who fill roles inexpensively with the thought that the sum of the parts is better than the individual pieces in many cases.

Noah Fant could have a huge season for the Seattle Seahawks in 2024

That is except for two players and each was already with the Seahawks. One of them is defensive lineman Leonard Williams. The other is tight end Noah Fant. It is the latter player that Pro Football Focus's (subscription required) Brad Spielberger believes is Seattle's best signing this offseason. And Spielberger could easily be correct.

Fant has never been truly given a chance to showcase his ability to catch and run. He had as many as 93 targets when he was with the Broncos before being part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver. But Fant was limited because of the way he was used in Denver's horrible offense, running shorter routes, and was more of a check-down. In the last two years with the Seahawks, Fant simply hasn't gotten enough targets, but that should change since Seattle has a new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb.

Spielberger writes, "Fant should take on an even larger role in Seattle’s offense with the team moving on from both and Colby Parkinson this offseason, and his abilities after the catch were on display in 2023 when he was called upon. Improved pass protection for Geno Smith should hopefully enable him to work through his progressions and find Fant more frequently going forward."

Smith hopefully will find Fant a lot more going forward. Seattle has excellent receivers, of course, with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but Fant has enough pass-catching ability and speed where he should be a dangerous threat and see a lot of one-on-one coverage. Instead of former OC Shane Waldron wanting to force the ball to the receivers, Grubb will likely have a lot more designed plays for Fant.

Fant should be a fun watch this season. His new deal is for two seasons and $21 million. Seattle values him, clearly. Now the Seahawks just need to use Fant better.

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