The Seahawks lost a week of OTA practices after the NFL penalized the ball club for excessive contact for the third time in off-season practices. Seattle also lost a fifth round 2017 draft choice. Seattle sees Malik McDowell as a puzzle piece with the ability to be disruptive all along the defensive front. The Seahawks are deep in the defensive line but they look at McDowell as a pressure player who can help their pass rush. During training camp, McDowell must prove he is more than a one move, up the field player. Ethan Pocic’s ticket to the NFL is his versatility and that’s what drew him to the Seahawks. He has played right guard and tackle during camp. If he can’t beat out Germain Ifedi at right tackle he will compete with Mark Glowinski and Jordan Roos at guard. He will also back up Justin Britt at center. Shaquill Griffin is in place to compete for the corner spot opposite Richard Sherman. His speed and learning ability have been impressive in camp. If he earns a starting position, he will have to go through DeShawn Shead, Neiko Thorpe, and Jeremy Lane. In Seattle, the best player plays. Delano Hill offers the Seahawks depth at strong safety and has been working as a backup to Kam Chancellor. He made enough plays in rookie camp and limited OTAs to impress the coaching staff. Hill has also done a good job communicating checks, disguising alignments, adjustments, and movement in the secondary. Nazair Jones looks like he will fit into a backup role in the defensive front rotation. Jones was running with the twos and threes in OTAs. Has plenty of violence in his game plus plenty of natural power. He has the tendency to play high. Needs technique work. Amara Darboh made some circus type catches in camp and his adjustment to a pro style offense was made easier coming from Michigan’s pro style attack. The Seahawks like his size as an outside receiver. He is a smooth and fluid athlete with good length and a frame to carry more good weight. Tedric Thompson was drafted to add competition and depth at free safety. Has demonstrated good ball skills. Will head into the camp as the third safety behind Earl Thomas and Bradley McDougald. Mike Tyson was a hybrid safety/linebacker for the Bearcats but is getting work at corner in camp. Tyson has good play speed and down the field closing speed. He is also physical in the run game. Justin Senior looks to be a practice squad candidate with George Fant taking first team reps at left tackle and Robert Myers working with the second unit. Senior competes hard but needs more functional play strength. David Moore is a small college receiver who runs smooth routes and faces an uphill battle to make the team at a loaded position. He will get his work as an outside receiver. Pro day numbers: 6005, 219, 4.43/40, 26/BP, 36.5/VJ, 10-4/BJ, 4.38/SS, and 6.98/3 cone. Chris Carson was limited during rookie mini-camp and OTAs due to a hamstring injury suffered during the Oklahoma State pro day. GRADE: AVERAGE.
FREE AGENCY: The Seahawks signed 10 of 11 free agents to one year contracts. Corner Neiko Thorpe was re-signed and received a two year deal. Others brought into the ball club are Luke Joeckel (OG), Eddie Lacy (RB), Bradley McDougald (FS), Michael Wilhoite (IB), Oday Aboushi (OT), Terence Garvin (IB), and Dion Jordan (DE). Luke Willson (TE) and DeShawn Shead (FS) had their contracts extended for a year.
NOTABLE UNDRAFTED COLLEGE FREE AGENTS: Darreus Rogers (Southern Cal) WR.
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