The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2022 offseason with some clear needs that if they can fill, they will find themselves right back in the playoff race this upcoming season. They are only one season removed from a 12-win season, so they are not as far away from contending as people may think.
The biggest question mark facing the Seahawks is whether or not Russell Wilson will remain the starting quarterback. If he and the organization can get back on the same page, Seattle is in an excellent position to upgrade the roster and contend again in 2022.
Seattle has a good chunk of cap space to spend this offseason, a majority of which will likely go toward retaining their own free agents. Duane Brown and Quandre Diggs are two of the important free agents they will look to re-sign.
But, they will also look to bring in some outside talent to upgrade positions as well. Here are three free agents the Seahawks should target this offseason.
3. S Rodney McLeod
As mentioned before, the Seahawks could have a big need at safety if they are unable to retain Quandre Diggs. Replacing him would prove difficult, so the team should be able to spend on him.
Even if he takes up a good chunk of the cap space, the Seahawks would be smart to target Rodney McLeod as a situational safety to add to the mix. Their scheme defensively is one that fits McLeod’s skill set well.
With some deficiencies in coverage, McLeod would be afforded the chance to rotate down into the box and help in the run game, where he excels. Given his age and injury history, Seattle won’t have to break the bank to bring in the veteran McLeod, who would give their secondary another solid rotational piece.
2. EDGE Chandler Jones
The Seahawks will look to bolster their pass rush this offseason. They ranked 23rd in the NFL with 34 sacks in 2021 and improving upon that number will help the defense get back on track in 2022.
This is a good free agency class for the Seahawks to address their pass-rushing needs and there is no reason they shouldn’t go near the top of the class. There arguably isn’t a better pass rusher available this offseason than Chandler Jones.
Landing Jones would be a win on multiple fronts. Not only would the Seahawks improve with him in the fold, but it would directly weaken a division rival in the Arizona Cardinals, for whom Jones is the all-time leader in sacks.
Jones was the 40th ranked EDGE defender in the NFL last season and is still a capable three-down player despite recently turning 32 years old.
1. CB Carlton Davis
The Seahawks have two different cornerbacks hitting free agency this year in D.J. Reed Jr. and Sidney Jones. Even if Seattle opts to bring back one of those players, it would be smart for them to put some major assets toward a true No. 1 option.
The Seahawks have needed an impact cornerback for years since the Legion of Boom began deteriorating and Carlton Davis would represent that kind of impact player. There is a chance that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will franchise tag Davis, but if he is allowed to hit the open market, he will generate a ton of interest.
Davis has the size and skill to fit what Seattle is looking for as a cornerback that can succeed in any scheme he plays in. If he can clean up his physicality, which sometimes leads to penalties, Davis will continue ascending as one of the best cover corners in the NFL.
