3 overrated free agents still available Seahawks must avoid

Seahawks need to avoid safety Julian Blackmon (PFF rank: 67)

Seattle still needs a safety or two, though they now have Julian Love and recent signee Rayshawn Jenkins. With the Baltimore Ravens, Mike Macdonald ran three safety sets more than any other coach. Normally, two decent safeties would be enough to get by and Seattle does have a little depth in Coby Bryant and Jerrick Reed II, but they are both unproven and likely cannot be counted on to take on many reps.

Blackmon is a four-year pro who has started during most of his time with the Indianapolis Colts. He was moved around a bit in 2023 instead of just being a free safety like in most of his first three seasons. That kind of versatility was well-liked under coach Pete Carroll but might not be as much under Macdonald.

Blackmon's biggest issue is that he does not have good recovery speed so he can get beat deep. In 2023, he allowed 31 receptions on 44 targets for 365 yards. He was solid but used more in the slot and Seattle does not need a player for that spot; the team has Devon Witherspoon. If Blackmon is moved back to more of a free safety there could be a problem.

In 2021 and 2022, Blackmon allowed a quarterback rating when targeted of at least 134.7. That is awful. He also missed at least 12.8 percent of his tackle attempts in his first three years. Seattle just does not have a place for Blackmon and he would be like fitting a square peg into a round hole as a free safety.

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