Well, it’s a little early to be thinking Off Season. Especially when your Seahawks are at 4-4, and with momentum on their side should finish the season with a strong playoff push. Yet it’s still intriguing to think where this talented team may be come the off season. Now first let’s look at some Salary Cap numbers from Over The Cap. With the NFL set to have a projected cap of $150,000,000, and the Seahawks only on the books for $125,117,680 it should leave them with roughly $23,937,610 to spend.
Now this is a number that will change of course, however for our current purposes it will do. Now let’s take a look at some the pending free agents at season’s end.
1. Russell Okung– while viewed as the most talented lineman on a struggling line, it’s safe to bet he will be looked at hard in contract negotiations. However, one thing cannot be overlooked and that’s his injury history. Having yet to play a complete season since being drafted #6 overall in 2010 out of Oklahoma State. Currently responsible for $7,280,000 against the cap this year, I’d say expect to see that number increase just based on talent alone. Okung has chosen to forge an actual agent, and will represent himself. This should be a sign of the value he sees in himself. There will be no shortage of big spenders, and over paid players in this off season. Look for Russell to get paid closer to $ 12,000,000 a year, which would place him well outside of Seattle’s range even if he is the best blocker on an underperforming line. Look for Okung to walk this offseason.
2. Brandon Mebane– This I will make short and sweet. Pro Football Focus has Mebane ranked as the 112th best Interior Defender. With him making over $5,000,000 this season, you can bet the 30-year-old finds a new home some season end.
3. Bruce Irvin- Currently ranked as the 11th best Linebacker in the entire NFL by Pro Football Focus. It’s safe to say that his current hit against the cap of $2,895,542 will increase significantly. Of the 23 million roughly left for the Seahawks to do business with you can almost bet that Irvin returns to his rightful spot next to K.J. Wright as arguably the best duo of linebackers.
4. Ahtyba Rubin– This is another situation of not enough need for the lack of production Rubin provides at the Tackle position. Currently ranked 101st best Interior defender by Pro Football Focus, you can expect the Seahawks to upgrade here.
5. Jermaine Kearse– Outside of Jimmy Graham the Seahawks lack a true receiving threat that forces double coverage every play. Kearse is not that receive, signed to just a one-year deal, you can expect the Hawks to send him packing onto his next destination. An upgrade can definitely be had in the draft, and thought free agency. Especially when he’s ranked 52nd by PFF behind Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.
6. J.R. Sweazy- Ranked by PFF as the 53rd best guard in the NFL, he just so happens to be the best option at guard on this team. While his talent is nothing special, you still have to think at the right price you bring him back. He stays healthy, knows your offense, and has established his presence in the locker room. Look for an easy 7 to 8 million over 4 years. At 26 he’s still young.
7. Jeremy Lane- He’s set to begin practice as he comes back from his broken wrist and torn ACL. While his playing time before the injury wasn’t significant, his ability to contribute is there. It’s hard to get playing time behind the Legion of Boom, yet he should be brought back. He’s young, eager, and coming back from a big time injury. Give him time he will prove his worth.
8. Tarvaris Jackson- Often we pay no attention to the backup quarterback position, yet its value is never more apparent in the NFL. With big name quarterbacks like Romo, and Roethlisberger missing extended time their backups have struggled. Jackson signed just a 1 yr contract and thankfully has yet to see the field. This is an interesting option here, do you sign Jackson who at 32 is a middle of the pack back up yet knows their system. Or do you attack the position in free agency? I think you bring him back. Wilson is on the front end of a massive contract, and still too early to draft at the position.
Obviously this is not a complete list, however, these are the 8 most important players facing free agency for the Seahawks. While it’s still too tell which players the Seahawks will bring back we can take a pretty good guess.
