2015 NFL DRAFT

Seahawks add nine undrafted free agents

Apr 27, 2013, 8:52 PM | Updated: Apr 8, 2016, 10:51 am

By Brady Henderson

RENTON – Consider it a good problem to have.

John Schneider and Pete Carroll had a hard time convincing rookie free agents to sign with the Seahawks, a reflection of the strength of Seattle’s roster and the difficulty those players will have to even make the team, let alone make an impact.

“This was the hardest rookie free agent period we’ve ever had,” Schneider said before the team announced the addition of nine undrafted rookies. “Pete was recruiting like crazy just now, and we were negotiating with a bunch of guys. Once you know that guys are making very hard decisions to come with you, that’s when you know you’re improving.”

Seattle’s nine undrafted rookies include wide receiver Matt Austin (Utah State); tackle Alvin Bailey (Arkansas); defensive end Kenneth Boatright (Southern Illinois); linebackers Ramon Buchanan (Miami), John Lotulelei (UNLV) and Craig Wilkins (Old Dominion); strong safety Ray Polk (Colorado); guard Jordon Roussos (Bowling Green) and running back Dominique Whaley (Oklahoma).

The Seahawks’ 11-member draft class didn’t include a linebacker, a mild surprise given their overall lack of depth at the position and the fact that one starting spot remains unsettled. That helps explain why three of their rookie free agents are linebackers.

“We got a couple [linebackers] that we will sign in free agency … that were guys we were hoping to draft at one point in the draft in a couple different spots,” Carroll said. “So we were very fortunate to get a couple guys to come on board here after the seventh round was done.”

2015 NFL Draft

...

Brady Henderson

Report: Tye Smith signs rookie deal with Seahawks

Not long after offensive lineman Kristjan Sokoli's agent Tweeted that his client was the Seahawks' first draft pick to sign his rookie deal, a report stated that cornerback Tye Smith has become the second.

9 years ago

Brady Henderson

Agent: Kristjan Sokoli signs rookie deal with Seahawks

Offensive lineman Kristjan Sokoli has become the first of the Seahawks' eight draft picks to sign his rookie deal, his agent Tweeting Thursday that the sixth-round pick is now under contract.

9 years ago

Seahawks draft pick Frank Clark was arrested and jailed in November on a domestic-violence charge t...

Brady Henderson

Report: Seahawks didn’t interview witnesses to alleged Clark incident

Two women who were in an adjacent hotel room during the alleged domestic-violence incident involving Seahawks draft pick Frank Clark have shared additional details with The Seattle Times and told the paper that the team never spoke with them as part of its investigation.

9 years ago

A relief trip to Darfur convinced Seahawks signing Nate Boyer to pursue his dream of playing footba...

Brent Stecker

34-year-old rookie and ex-Green Beret Nate Boyer details his journey from military to the Seahawks

There's only one 34-year-old former Green Beret rookie trying to catch on with an NFL team for the 2015 season, and Seahawks hopeful Nate Boyer's story is every bit as inspiring as it sounds.

9 years ago

John Schneider says Seattle wouldn’t have drafted Frank Clark if they believed he struck his ...

Brady Henderson

Schneider: Seahawks ‘absolutely’ believe Clark didn’t hit girlfriend

Seahawks general manager John Schneider joined 710 ESPN Seattle's "Brock and Salk" Monday morning and talked further about the team's controversial decision to draft defensive end Frank Clark despite past allegations of domestic violence.

9 years ago

Connor Halliday will attempt follow in the footsteps of WSU great Mark Rypien as a Washington QB. (...

Brent Stecker

WSU’s Connor Halliday, UW’s Andrew Hudson agree to UDFA deals

After a prolific career at Washington State, Connor Halliday will get a shot to bring the air raid to the NFL, signing a deal as an undrafted free agent with Washington.

9 years ago

Seahawks add nine undrafted free agents