Clayton: CB Brent Grimes could be possibility for Seahawks if Jeremy Lane falls through
Mar 10, 2016, 9:20 AM
With linebacker Bruce Irvin reportedly the first Seahawks free agent to strike a deal with another team, one of the most interesting questions left will be how Seattle moves forward with free agent Jeremy Lane, the versatile and talented cornerback who has missed significant time with injury.
If the Seahawks decide to move on from Lane, or can’t come to terms with him, ESPN’s John Clayton told 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” that four-time Pro Bowler Brent Grimes could be a moderately priced replacement.
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“He could be an option if they don’t keep Jeremy Lane,” Clayton said. “There’s a couple differences though. Athletically (Grimes is) a freak. He’s got great jumping ability. I still think he’s got good coverage skills. He’s not the tall corner that fits this defense. They always like the guys to be 6 (feet) or 6-1, so that might hold him back a little bit and maybe he might have to move a little bit more into the slot.”
Grimes, who is listed at 5-10, has reportedly declined to restructure the four-year, $32 million contract he signed with Miami in 2014. The Dolphins and Grimes’ wife have had issues in the past, and cutting Grimes would save the Dolphins about $6.5 million in cap room. However, Clayton said Miami’s recent trade for Byron Maxwell appears to be falling apart and that the team might be interested in mending fences with Grimes.
“Right now, I think he wants out,” Clayton said. “It’s not like his wife hasn’t had some issues with the Dolphins. She goes to the games and gets into little altercations and there’s all kinds of problems.”
Clayton believes Lane will likely command about a $4 million deal, while Grimes would likely be closer to $5 million per year on the open market.
“If (Lane) doesn’t sign for $4 (million), they could consider (Grimes) and it wouldn’t cost a compensatory pick,” Clayton said.
Clayton said the idea of signing both Grimes and Lane is not a possibility.
“You’ve got three, at the most four, $4 million slots to do something,” Clayton said. “And you’re going to put two on two cornerbacks? It doesn’t work that way.”
