Seahawks unlikely to be active in free agency but may gain from departures
Jan 17, 2019, 12:55 PM | Updated: 1:57 pm
The Seahawks could net a compensatory pick if Earl Thomas signs a big deal elsewhere. (AP)
(AP)
Like every other team in the league, the Seahawks will look to bolster their roster with offseason acquisitions this spring and summer. That kicks off with the signing of select unrestricted free agents, either from their own team or from around the league, when the new league year kicks off on March 13.
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But 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard doesn’t expect the Seahawks to make any big moves. More than that, he’s hoping the big moves come from other teams signing former Seahawks. The reason? Seattle could have a chance to snag some much-needed future compensatory draft picks.
“I don’t expect them to be very active,” Huard said of the Seahawks during his Blue 42 segment of Brock and Salk on 710 ESPN Seattle. “Here’s what I hope: I hope Earl Thomas is very active (in free agency) and the Cowboys go above and beyond, or the Browns do, or any of these teams with a ton of cap space, and pay him enormous money and he becomes a tier 1 free agent who in time will net you that third-round compensatory pick. That’s something you absolutely need in the years to come.
“With the cost of Russell Wilson and the cost of Frank Clark, and some of the things they want to do internally, I don’t see the Seahawks (making big moves in free agency). I’m not saying they won’t look at it – I’m not saying they won’t flirt with it, and I’m not saying that if there is a deal to be had in the second week of free agency (they wouldn’t go for it) – but the activity I want to see is K.J. (Wright) and Earl getting paid big, big bucks elsewhere.”
It’s not as thought the Seahawks have always avoided blockbuster trades or signings. The team acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, and in 2015 they acquired tight end Jimmy Graham in a trade with the New Orleans Saints. But this year they have to consider potential extensions for quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner, and either an extension or a franchise tag for defensive end Frank Clark (the latter of which could come in at more than $17 million). They’ll also have just four draft picks this April, and compensatory picks would come in handy in 2020.
Brock Huard answers three football questions for his Blue 42 segment every weekday morning at 7:45 a.m. You can listen to Huard and co-host Mike Salk on the Brock and Salk show, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle.
