10 free agents the Seattle Seahawks should target: NFL free agency 2021

K.J. Wright

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks will enter the official 2021 free agency market with an improved salary cap outlook after roster moves.

The pandemic wreaked havoc on the NFL’s coffers in 2020. Without fans in the stands and those fans purchasing concessions and merchandise, the league’s revenue dropped sharply. The NFL announced its salary cap would be $182.3 million in 2021, considerably lower than the $198.2 million in 2020.

The Seahawks started the year with salary cap space of around $5 million. The Seahawks created more space after allowing defensive end Carlos Dunlap and his $14.1 million cap hit to test the free agent market. The Seahawks now have around $18 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com.

The Seahawks don’t have to address the contracts of their most important players on offense, but they have some decisions to make on defense. With needs on the offensive and defensive lines, running back, tight end and cornerback, the Seahawks must make some very tough decisions when the official free agency period begins March 17.

Here’s 10 likely free agents the Seahawks should target (including players currently on the roster).

1. Joe Thuney, G, New England Patriots (Age 28)

Joe Thuney

AP

The Seahawks aren’t known for paying big money for offensive linemen under the Pete Carroll/John Schneider regime, with left tackle Duane Brown being the exception. However, if they’re serious about improving the offensive line - read: Keeping quarterback Russell Wilson happy - then it’s time for them to change that approach. Thuney was a second-team All-Pro in 2019 and he’s very good in pass protection. Adding him would give the Seahawks really good bookends on the offensive line.

2. Gabe Jackson, G, Las Vegas Raiders (29)

Gabe Jackson

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Jackson could be a solid alternative if the Seahawks are unwilling - or financially unable - to pay for a more expensive lineman such as Thuney. Jackson, who was the Raiders’ longest-tenured offensive lineman, posted a solid season in 2020, but the cash-strapped Raiders need to clear salary cap space and Jackson is expected to be a cap casualty. Jackson failed to play in 16 games from 2017 through 2019, but he appeared in all 16 games in 2020.

3. Nick Easton, G, New Orleans Saints (29)

Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints – October 4, 2020

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

The Saints released Easton on Feb. 12, a move that saved the Saints roughly $6 million for 2021. Easton, who started in 15 of the 22 games he appeared in during the past two seasons, was viewed as a backup if he returned to the Saints. The Seahawks need to do their due diligence on Easton, who suffered three concussions during the 2020 season, with the last brain injury prompting the Saints to place him on injured reserve.

4. Corey Linsley, C, Green Bay Packers (30)

Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley

(Associated Press)

Coming off his first selection to the first-team, All-Pro squad last season, Linsley will be in demand. Linsley allowed just one sack on 437 pass blocking snaps, but the Packers are at least $11 million over the cap and can’t afford to re-sign him. Linsley won’t come cheap - likely at $11 million average annual salary - but the Seahawks have an opportunity demonstrate to Wilson their commitment to upgrading on the offensive line by adding the best center they’ve had since Max Unger.

5. Jonnu Smith, TE, Tennessee Titans (26)

Jonnu Smith

(AP Photo/James Kenney)AP

Will Dissly struggled in 2020 after his knee surgery in 2019. Jacob Hollister will be a free agent and Colby Parkinson played sparingly. Smith posted a career year - 41 receptions, 448 yards and eight touchdowns, all career-highs - in 2020, the final year of his rookie contract. The Seahawks want to run the football and Smith is a solid blocker. Wilson likes to use his tight ends and Smith could post a big year in Seattle.

6. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks (26)

Chris Carson

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)AP

He’s not expected to re-sign with the Seahawks, but they would be accused of malpractice if they didn’t make a legitimate offer to their leading rusher of the past three seasons. Carson posted 681 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games in 2020, ending a streak of two consecutive seasons of rushing for at least 1,000 yards. He did average a career-best 4.8 yards a carry and displayed an ability to catch the football - he posted a career-high four touchdown receptions in 2020. His durability - he has not appeared in 16 games in a season in his career - is a concern.

7. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings (32)

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings - December 23, 2018

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

The Vikings released Rudolph March 2 and as a result, the Seahawks don’t have to wait until the official free agent signing period to sign the veteran. Rudolph appeared in 12 games in 2020, breaking a streak of five consecutive seasons of playing in 16 games. Rudolph posted 28 receptions for 334 yards and one touchdown, his lowest numbers since the 2014 season, when he appeared in nine games.

8. K.J. Wright, LB, Seattle Seahawks (31)

K.J. Wright

AP

Wright has said he wants to return to Seattle, the only team he has played for in his 10-year career. However, the sticking point is likely to be whether they can find common ground on a contract. Wright has said he’s not feeling a “hometown discount” and the Seahawks must decide if they want re-sign the popular player, who produced a very good season after being moved from weakside to strongside linebacker.

9. Quinton Dunbar, CB, Seattle Seahawks (28)

Quinton Dunbar

(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)AP

Shaquill Griffin is expected to depart in free agency and while they look to D.J. Reed to replace Griffin, they are likely to have an opening on the other side. Tre Flowers was in and out of the doghouse and they did acquire Dunbar following a trade with Washington in 2020. Dunbar was plagued by knee problems and appeared in just six games in 2020. However, the Seahawks like his size and skill set, he’s healthy and he should come cheap. Why not give him a second chance?

10. Nelson Agholor, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (27)

NFL Week 4: Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders

(AP Photo/David Becker)AP

The Seahawks will probably have Freddie Swain as their lone returning slot receiver, with David Moore expected to leave in free agency. Agholor posted a solid bounce-back season in 2020 - 48 receptions, 896 yards while tying his career-high with eight touchdowns - after a mediocre season in 2019. He played in the slot position during his five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before going out wide with the Raiders.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold

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