4 players Seattle Seahawks need to avoid in 2024 free agency

With the league's new year just weeks away, the Seattle Seahawks are on the verge of finalizing their staff hirings. For the first time in nearly 15 years, this organization has dealt with serious turnover. New head coach Mike Macdonald, the youngest coach in the NFL (36 years old), is going to bring a different style to Seattle.

While John Schneider remains and even got promoted in the organization, it's worth begging the question, will the Seahawks change their philosophy? Last year, Seattle went out of character and gave Dre'Mont Jones a huge contract. Jones certainly did not live up to the contract he was given. But, this offseason, the Seahawks do not have multiple first and second-round draft picks.

Does this mean they will turn to free agency to fill the major voids of this team? They certainly have players whose contracts can be adjusted to free up that space. Jamal Adams, Tyler Lockett, and the aforementioned Dre'Mont Jones just to name a few. Freeing up the space isn't going to be the problem. How they will allocate those funds will depend on their draft plan, but also, on their aggressiveness or lack thereof in free agency.

4 players Seattle Seahawks need to avoid in free agency

Another factor to take into consideration is their own impending free agents. Leonard Williams, Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Books, Noah Fant, Damien Lewis, Drew Lock, etc. With Geno Smith remaining on the roster this past week confirmed (for now at least) that he is their quarterback moving forward. That eliminates the idea of a big-time signing, such as Kirk Cousins.

My guess is the focus will be very similar to that of last year, the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive lines need improvement. While there are big-time playmakers that can fill those needs in free agency, not all of them will be considered a necessity or even a good fit for Seattle. The Seahawks do have plenty of youth on this team that can allow them to build from within. The issue will be if Macdonald can bring out the best of those guys, especially on defense, as he did in Baltimore.

Seattle Seahawks need to avoid DE Danielle Hunter

This one may come as a surprise to many for a couple of different reasons. For starters, Danielle Hunter is coming off a career year in sacks (16.5). His endurance has been exceptional over the last couple of seasons and he would certainly fill a need for this Seahawks defensive front. Last year with Minnesota, Hunter fit in nicely with Brian Flores' new scheme.

In comparing his scheme with that of Macdonald, you can argue Danielle could have success with the amount of blitzes they both utilize. However, at age 29, would it be wise to lock him up? To allocate the majority of the money they would have freed to someone who might slow down the progression of Boye Mafe (who I really think is going to excel under Macdonald) and Derrick Hall?

Although he may have been forgotten, Uchenna Nwosu will be back next season. He has played at a very high level ever since signing with the Seattle Seahawks. While I argued for the Seahawks to pursue Chris Jones, the two situations are different. Seattle currently does not have a young and coming defensive tackle, and Chris Jones is arguably the 2nd biggest reason why the Kansas City Chiefs are three-time Super Bowl champions.

I'm sure Danielle Hunter is going to have a market in free agency. Ironically, divisional rival, Los Angeles Rams, will probably be one of those teams considered in the mix. Ultimately, for Seattle, it doesn't make sense given the current situation they are in.

Seattle Seahawks need to avoid S Kyle Dugger

As it currently stands, the Seattle Seahawks appropriate the most money to the safety position ($57M). That is, with only four players on the depth chart -- Julian Love, Quandre Diggs, Jerrick Reed II, and Jamal Adams. After seeing the success Mike Macdonald had in Baltimore with his safety room, this could be one position he addresses in Seattle.

Although Julian Love had a Pro Bowl-worthy first year with the Seahawks, they are getting older at this position. In fact, many around the league believe Seattle will finally bite the bullet and move off Jamal Adams. While I personally do not agree with that decision, given the versatility Adams can bring to a defense, it would free up a lot of cap space.

Obviously, if Seattle were to move off Adams, they would need a replacement. Although Jerrick Reed saw the field during his rookie season, it was mostly on special teams. One potential solution would be turning to free agency. S Kyle Dugger is arguably the best at his position group for this free agent class. He is young and certainly fits the mold of a hybrid safety that Macdonald can use as a chess piece. But, will it be worth giving him a big-time contract?

The Patriots are considering franchise tagging him, which will cost roughly $16M. Even though I don't think Dugger would be seeking $16M per year on a longer-term contract, my guess would be he is searching for something north of $11-12M. If Seattle indeed does move off Adams, I do not think it makes sense for them to continually pour money into the safety room. I much rather them address this position through the draft. Or, sign a veteran safety who will not come with such an expensive price tag.

Seattle Seahawks need to avoid LB Patrick Queen

When Mike Macdonald was hired by the Seattle Seahawks, I immediately thought of some defenders he could poach over from Baltimore. Justin Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy, Geno Stone, and of course, Patrick Queen. All guys who thrived in his system. In particular, this past season where the Ravens had the NFL's best scoring defense (16.5 PPG).

When watching the Ravens on tape, there are a couple of different things that stand out. But, for me, the disguise in lining up and communication between the defenders in how they pass off coverages created all sorts of confusion for quarterbacks. Resulting in them holding onto the ball too long, allowing the Ravens to finish the regular season with 60 sacks, a league-high.

The linebacking duo of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen contributed to all avenues of defense, run game, coverage, blitzing, etc. With Roquan Smith already being the highest-paid linebacker in the league, it is highly unlikely they retain Queen. Who, in all likelihood, coming off the season he just had, will be searching for a contract very similar to that of his former running mate. There is no questioning the talent of Queen, but my issue comes with Seattle potentially investing that amount into one player of a particular position group.

As it currently stands, both starters, Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks are impending free agents. Bobby Wagner showed no signs of slowing down, making his 9th Pro Bowl appearance in 2024. While Jordyn Brooks has dealt with injuries ever since entering the NFL, he has shown improvement in each season. This past season, he was a three-down backer who significantly improved in coverage. Hypothetically, I'd prefer the Seahawks retaining both Wagner and Brooks rather than giving a lump sum of change to Queen.

Seattle Seahawks need to avoid T Trent Brown

The Seattle Seahawks' promising offensive line regressed a bit this past season. While it was in part due to injuries sustained by both tackles, Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, there was enough shown on tape where I think they need to address it this off-season. Two years ago, prior to drafting Cross and Lucas, the Seahawks showed a desire for Trent Brown.

Ultimately, Brown went back to New England after using Seattle as leverage. He signed a 2-year, $13M deal with the Patriots. Financially, well put together by the Patriots given the talent of Brown. But, even he has shown signs of regression in the past two seasons. He will now enter free agency and once again, the Seahawks might show interest.

Given the fact that the Seahawks have two young tackles on the roster, it might be odd reading that they would like to add another. I don't necessarily disagree with them adding another one. I just think they would be wise to stay away from Trent Brown. As I've seen in many mock drafts, experts believe that Washington T Troy Fautanu would be a great fit in Seattle.

While he is known for being more of a polished pass-protector, I wonder if the potential addition of Fautanu would have Seattle consider switching Lucas over to guard. Nonetheless, I agree with the route that results in Seattle adding a potential starter or depth on the offensive line through the draft, where they can utilize someone on a cheap contract for at least 4-years.

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