Offseason Bonanza
by acclerator3 | 8 years ago | 0 Comments
What an offseason it was for the Seattle Seahawks. After having over 80M in cap space and 19 draft picks it was obvious the team was going to have a new look coming into the season. That being said, Coach Mo thought the team exceeding expectations exclaiming, "I think there is no doubt that our team is more talented from this massive Free Agency talent infusion than it was in our conference championship run last season." Let's take a look at some of those free agent signings Coach Mo is gushing about:
Free Agency Recap:
QB Cam Newton OVR: 95 With management not willing to give Russell Wilson an extension in the neighborhood of 25+M a year Cam Newton was brough in at just under $19M for 1 season to fill the temporary void. Newton and Wilson are similar players and not much should change skill wise with the switch.
QB Matt Ryan OVR: 84 The Seahawks were left with zero QBs on the roster going into the offseason so who better to hold Newton's clipboard than a 2 time OMFL defending champion in Matt Ryan. The Seahawks will also use Ryans knowledge of the Falcons offense should the teams meet again in the playoffs.
HB Devonta Freeman OVR: 93 Freeman is going to provide depth and start out the season 3rd at the RB position behind 1st round pick Frank Bethel (more on him later) and veteran Seahawk Donald Grimes who is coming into his last season on his rookie contract. Freeman will also be trotted onto the field as the lead kick and punt returner this season.
HB Knile Davis OVR: 75 With the Seahawks all but set at the RB position Davis will be an extreme depth add and could provide valuable intel on 2 time OMFL champion and former Bills coach Ducks(now with the Eagles) as well as 2 time OMFL champion Dwayne. Davis will also be used in the return game 2nd in line behind Freeman.
WR Robert Woods OVR: 81 Woods was also brought in, like Knile Davis, to provide emergency depth. The WR position is solidified with the top 3 options Lockett, Dildine, and Richardson holding down the fort. Unless there is an injury Woods will not see the field much.
TE Zach Ertz OVR: 88 The tight end position in Seattle has not been a major factor in the passing game the last few seasons but Ertz may be a difference maker that can change that. Although Seattle totalled only 52 catches for 560 yards from the entire tight end group last year Ertz could easily surpass those numbers by himself this season. Ertz is the 2nd best blocking tight end Seattle has had since Coach Mo took over the team while also being the 2nd best receiving tight end in that same time frame. That combination likely makes him the best TE Coach Mo has had to work with and Ertz may be relied on heavily this year in the Seattle offense.
RE Jabaal Sheard OVR: 91 Carlos Dunlap moved on in free agency and the man to take his spot is the talented defense end Jabaal Sheard. Dunlap did total 14 sacks for the Seahawks last season but Sheard is a much more well rounded end than Dunlap and actually rates better in almost every category. Anything less then 12-14 sacks this year for Sheard will certainly be a dissapoint in the eyes of the Seahawks.
DT Kawann Short OVR: 87 The weakest spot on the Seahawks stout defense from last season was the run game. Michael Bennett and Dan Williams didn't do a sufficient job last year so the Seahawks are changing things up at the defensive tackle position. Short will be the #1 DT playing on all downs while Aldon Smith (20 sacks last season) will slider over from his end position last year to take on the #2 DT role.
DT Brandon Williams OVR: 83 Williams will provide injury depth as the new #3 DT this season.
DT Ian Williams OVR: 76 Ian Williams, along with Brandon Williams, are merely emergency depth options.
LOLB Justin Houston OVR: 95 Houston will slide down to LE where his skills should translate very well. Houston will look to match Aldon Smiths lofty total of 20 sacks from last season.
ROLB Myles Jack OVR: 97 Joining a crowded and talented group of linebackers Jack was the prize get for the Seahawks this offseason. At only 24 years of age Jack was signed to a 4 year nearly 40M contract. Jack is a very intelligent player with solid speed and should help the Seahawks improve on their rush defense and stay near the top of the league against the pass this season.
CB Mackensie Alexander OVR: 85 A huge addition to an always thin position for the Seahawks Alexander will step right in alongside last years rookie sensation Brandan Gabriel to provide the most formidable cornerback duo Coach Mo has ever worked with.
That rounds out the free agent class for the Seahawks this year. It certainly looks like Seattle is doing everything they can to get over the hump and make their first ever OMFL superbowl. Catch us on our next segment as we break down the Seahawks draft class and look towards the teams week 1 matchup against the New York Jets.
All previous Seahawks LoB articles can be found here