4 Seattle Seahawks dream targets in 2024 free agency

For the first time in nearly 15 years, the Seattle Seahawks are in search of a new head coach. While Pete Carroll's 14-year tenure has come to an end, the Seahawks have made it no secret an integral part of their new hiring process will be finding someone who can maintain the positive culture that has been established. That, of course, is no easy task as there hasn't really been a culture like Seattle's found in the league's history.

Nonetheless, whoever finds themselves stepping into the role of head coach will have to make some tough decisions almost immediately. Over the last couple of seasons, but more so, the past two seasons, the Seahawks' defense has ranked close to the bottom of the league. Especially, up front in an attempt to stop the run game. While last offseason's focus was on bouldering the defensive trenches, they even doubled down on it during the course of the regular season by trading for DL Leonard Williams.

Surrendering a second-round pick for a player who is now a free agent may come back to haunt them. The departure of Pete Carroll can cause some impending free agents to look elsewhere. However, the focus in this off-season should remain the same. If the Seahawks want to close the gap with the 49ers and now, I guess, the Rams, they need to bolster the defense.

4 dream free agent targets for the Seattle Seahawks

It is too early to say what type of identity will be formed in Seattle in 2024. In the preliminary search for head coach, GM John Schneider has interviews lined up with coaches who have all different types of expertise. Luckily, the Seahawks are probably one of the more enticing openings throughout the NFL given the level of talent on this roster.

Alluded to many times in his final presser, Pete Carroll was very grateful for the relationship he established with John Schneider, whom he refers to as Johnny, over the last decade and a half. That relationship will be just as important with whoever is next in line. According to Spotrac, the Seattle Seahawks are going to start off 2024 just below the cap.

Contracts will have to be adjusted, players will have to be cut and maybe even traded. Regardless, Seattle is going to have to do some maneuvering to make way for new players they acquire both in free agency and the draft. When the money is freed up, who do they target? Here are 4 dream free agent targets for the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.

Seattle Seahawks dream target No. 1: DL Chris Jones

For a team that has been struggling with putting together the interior of their defensive line, Chris Jones would be a dream signing for the Seattle Seahawks. This may seem unrealistic for a multitude of reasons. First, being the price tag that would be associated with signing this caliber of a player. An argument can be made that Chris Jones has been the best interior defensive player in the NFL over the last few seasons. And yes, that includes ranking him above Aaron Donald.

Given the fact that Chris Jones can get franchised tagged by Kansas City (which would be roughly $33M), it would be fair to assume whoever signed him, would give him a deal north of $30M/per year. Based on Seattle's current cap, that seems unlikely. Secondly, based on how Seattle has operated over recent years in free agent spending, it would be very unlike them to offer this big a deal to a free agent. They broke that rule last year when signing DT Dre'Mont Jones to a 3-year, $51M deal.

This makes me think they wouldn't do that again based on the production Jones had. Nonetheless, Jones is under contract for two more seasons, Jarran Reed will be back next year and after giving up a 2nd-round pick for Leonard Williams, I'm guessing they will try to bring him back. On top of all of that, I'd have a hard time imagining Kansas City letting Jones walk. Or, if they let him walk since he is getting older, I'd imagine another team that is more desperate than Seattle will swoop in.

But, in the rare event they did and Seattle were somehow able to create all this cap space that would allow them to sign Jones and address other positions of need, their defense immediately gets better. The double teams he evades and attracts allow others to get one-on-one opportunities. More importantly, he shows up when he's needed most. Since 2018, he's had at least 7.5 sacks in each season, been named to 5 All-Pro teams, and won two Super Bowls. A true difference maker.

Seattle Seahawks dream target No. 2: DL Justin Madubuike

Is it possible that Justin Madubuike would follow his defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, were he to be hired by the Seattle Seahawks? The Baltimore Ravens' defense has been wreaking havoc all year against opponents. But, more importantly, they've slowed down the Kyle Shanahan offense. The Ravens dominated against the 49ers, Dolphins, and Texans not only because of Macdonald's genius but in large part, due to the disruption caused up front.

Nicknamed "baby Aaron Donald," Madubuike would elevate the play of this entire Seahawks defensive front. He finished the season with 13 sacks and 56 pressures and is certainly on his way to securing the bag this off-season. Similar to Chris Jones, Seattle would have to get very clever in creating cap space. But, unlike Jones, Madubuike is only 26-years old.

It's been no secret that Seattle wants to get better in the trenches on both sides. Between the draft picks of the last two years and in-season trades, they've done what they can to get better up front. While you can argue they have the talent, they aren't producing the results desired. Signing Madubuike would most likely mean others need to let go. But, could you imagine the talent displayed on this defensive front with Boye Mafe, Derrick Hall, Jarran Reed, Dre'Mont Jones, Uchenna Nwosu, and Justin Madubuike.

In John Schneider's first off-season in complete control of personnel decisions, signing Madubuike would get him off to a great start. Just like at the start of his tenure, Seattle focused on getting better up front. While Pete Carroll is no longer the coach, I do still believe Schneider will keep the same philosophy that football games are won in the trenches.

Seattle Seahawks dream target No. 3: CB Jaylon Jones

After the recent success of the young defensive backs on this Seattle Seahawks roster, I didn't think I'd find myself exploring the possibility of them signing a cornerback during free agency. However, it appeared that CB Riq Woolen suffered a sophomore slump. I know he was banged up throughout the season with injuries. But, the tackling seemed to be a problem. Now, I'm not saying he shouldn't play anymore, he was more than fine in coverage this season. I more so just feel Seattle can bolster this secondary.

Let's also not forget that Pete Carroll was known for developing cornerbacks. With his departure, the Seahawks brass may want to turn to a proven player, such as Jaylon Johnson. Now, this is considered a dream target because similar to Chris Jones and Justin Madubuike, there is going to be a hefty price tag associated with Johnson. However, since we are dreaming here, imagine Johnson in the secondary with Witherspoon, Woolen, Diggs, Love, and potentially others.

The name that has been linked to the Seahawks since the head coaching job opened is former defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn. A man who was around this team when they developed the Legion of Boom. The staple of that defense was physicality. Granted, the rules have changed to put defenders at an obvious disadvantage. But, that doesn't mean you can't stab and jab at the line of scrimmage.

Between Riq's length and the physicality of Spoon, the addition of Johnson would make it very difficult for guys to create space at the snap of the ball. As a result, the pass rush has a better chance of getting home on the quarterback. While Seattle does drop into zone coverage a lot (which might change with a new HC and/or DC), the added length alone would make it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to make throws.

Seattle Seahawks dream target No. 4: EDGE Josh Allen

The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2023 season ranked 12th in sacks. However, they were more a middle-of-the-pact/bottom-half team in sacks as they had 11 against the Giants in Week 4. The injury to Uchenna Nwosu hurt the sack numbers, but Boye Mafe showed significant improvement. Entering 2024, the hope is that he, along with Derrick Hall, can take another leap.

Another way of addressing this would be signing EDGE Josh Allen. Allen was tied for 2nd in sacks (17.5) during the regular season. More so, he came up big when it mattered. Countless times in the 4th quarter, Allen either found a way to bring the quarterback to the ground or at least pressure him. Pairing him with Uchenna Nwosu would allow the Seahawks' defense to pin its ears back and get back after the quarterback.

In this scenario, signing Josh Allen would leave the interior of Seattle's defensive line the same. While that may be cause for concern given how it performed over the last two months of the regular season, the new regime can present a new scheme and/or adjustments that can improve that matter. From top to bottom, this Seattle roster is sprinkled with youth at every position. Bringing in a guy like Josh Allen can unleash a pass rush that has been relatively disappointing over the last couple of seasons.

Josh Allen is a home-run hitter. On 3rd down, your eyes follow him when the ball is snapped. It feels like Seattle has been missing that player. If you look at the teams remaining in the playoffs, all of them are able to generate pressure without blitzing. When you rely on blitzing to get sacks, you put your defensive backs in very vulnerable positions. Signing Josh Allen would allow Seattle to be great on the edge, and would allow younger guys to play in more of a rotational position. Learning from those in front of them and coming into the games with fresh legs on pressuring downs.

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