Huard: Seahawks’ priority now is extending Jamal Adams in time for moves in free agency’s 3rd wave
Apr 14, 2021, 8:12 AM | Updated: 10:16 am
Strong safety Jamal Adams has one year left on his contract with the Seahawks. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for the NFL Draft in just over two weeks, but according to Brock Huard, that’s not their only focus at the moment. In fact, he thinks their top priority is making sure their next big move happens before the draft gets here.
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On the most recent edition of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock and Salk Podcast, Huard said he thinks the next domino to fall this Seahawks’ offseason is a contract extension for record-setting strong safety Jamal Adams, and time is of the essence.
Why?
The former NFL quarterback and current NFL on FOX color commentator believes Seattle has more moves it wants to make in free agency, but not until it knows how much money will be left after things are settled with Adams.
Let’s take a close look at what Huard broke down on the podcast that released Tuesday (which you can listen to at this link or in the player below).
Jamal Adams is the next domino
If the Seahawks want to make more moves, why don’t they just add to their positions of need and take care of Adams later? According to Huard, it’s more important to Seattle to make sure Adams sticks around, as was the case with wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who the Seahawks already signed to an extension this offseason.
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“I think they’re working behind the scenes to get Jamal done. I think that is the ongoing process as it was with Tyler Lockett, and we saw Tyler’s deal get done,” Huard said. “… (Adams) is not getting traded; he’s not going anywhere. I think they love him. They have always said that when it comes to players who they believe in, they will pay, and I think they’re going to work simultaneously over the next 16 days to get their draft board in the best shape possible, and I think (vice president of football administration) Matt Thomas on the salary cap end and (general manager John Schneider) are working to get a deal done with Jamal. I think they would love to do that before the draft, to button that thing up and secure him, and see what’s left for maybe a few other little pieces.”
And that’s where the conversation really gets interesting.
What the Seahawks may do after an Adams extension
Huard sees a third wave of NFL free agency coming quickly, and the Seahawks – who are limited in what they can do in the draft with just three picks – probably have their eyes on players at a few positions.
“Maybe it’s a corner, maybe it’s a pass rusher, maybe it’s (linebacker K.J. Wright), maybe it’s another receiver,” he said. “And there are a bunch of free agents out there whose markets have gotten smaller and smaller as these days and weeks have gone by. … There are interesting names bobbing around in a third wave out there trying to land a home. That’s what I think is left for the Seahawks.”
Huard said “the market is favorable,” and if Seattle can get a deal signed with Adams and turn its attention back to free agency soon, it could be big for their 2021 roster.
“I think there are two or three more moves (the Seahawks will make),” he said. “I think that there is a pass rusher, and there are a bunch of veteran names out there, some intriguing names still. I think they learned the lesson the hard way the first half of last year (with their pass rush). I don’t think they can fully count on (2020 second-round pick) Darrell Taylor… and you can’t ever, ever have enough pass rush. I don’t know if that’s Everson Griffen, Aldon Smith – there are a bunch of veteran guys.”
Seattle is also down its No. 3 wide receiver after David Moore left for Carolina, and while the draft does feature a lot of depth at the position, Huard expects them to go the veteran route.
“This is a deep receiver draft, but you went that way with (Freddie) Swain in the late rounds last year. I don’t think they’re going to spend a second-round pick on a third receiver knowing Tyler’s been paid, DK (Metcalf) is going to get paid. … I think that’s probably a veteran receiver. I’ve said this for months that (Golden Tate) would be a very intriguing guy to me, and by the way, he is still out there.”
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