If you loved the "anonymous evaluators and executives grade the NFL Draft"

article from last month https://www.theseahawksfanshop.com , well this series is back again! ESPN’s Mike Sando compiled analysis and opinion from league..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteField Gullsa Seattle Seahawks communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsSeahawksOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections VideosCoffee and CigarettesGame AnalysisThe Numbers GameCigar ThoughtsNFL insiders only give Seahawks “C+” grade for 2019 offseason movesNew,68commentsPDTShareTweetShareShareNFL insiders only give Seahawks “C+” grade for 2019 offseason movesMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsIf you loved the “anonymous evaluators and executives grade the NFL Draft” article from last month, well this series is back again! ESPN’s Mike Sando compiled analysis and opinion from league insiders to assess the offseason moves of all 32 teams. This includes the draft, free agency, trades, and major contract extensions or roster cuts. The Seattle Seahawks didn’t grade particularly well, although most schools will consider a C+ as marginally acceptable.This article is behind the ESPN+ paywall, but we can lift the relevant paragraphs so that you all can see the important quotes:That one executive obviously wasn’t impressed with the draft haul the Seahawks managed by trading Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs. It seems as if DK Metcalf is going to be one of the most scrutinized picks throughout the 2019 season. Another evaluator believes that Seattle’s youth and inexperience on defense could make them (at least on paper) one of the league’s worst.It is true that they’ve lost Clark, Earl Thomas, and are down to just Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright among the Seahawks who’ve starred on the top defenses dating back to 2012, but you would hope that Jarran Reed continues to develop into an elite DT, while Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers become the new cornerstones at cornerback. Then there’s Collier and Rasheem Green on the defensive front, while Marquise Blair is likely to be paired with Bradley McDougald at the safety spots. Seattle’s defense has been average over the past two seasons (based on DVOA), so yes, there may absolutely be some growing pains in 2019 now that even more established talent has departed.Scanning the other NFC West grades, the Arizona Cardinals got a B, the San Francisco 49ers received a C, and the Los Angeles Rams also earned a C+. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t mean a whole lot. It’s just fun offseason content that we will very much look back on when the 2019 regular season comes to an end. Last week, five of the Seattle Seahawks’ biggest positions of focus this offseason were identified here. Now, we’ll start identifying which players at those positions the Seahawks could target in free agency. The biggest focus for Seattle at EDGE is retaining their own premier pass rusher, Frank Clark. Beyond Clark, there’s a void. Dion Jordan is a free agent and was a non-factor in 2018, while counting on one of Jacob Martin or Rasheem Green to make a giant step forward in their sophomore season would be a dangerous game to play. The Seahawks have the cap space to go out and acquire another solid, 8-10+ sack pass rusher, while retaining Clark. In fact, they might even add two in free agency; after all, at Seattle’s peak, they had a quartet of Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin to depend on. Who might they target?Ezekiel AnsahThe Seahawks’ defense of 2013 is unlikely to be replicated Seahawks Customized Color Rush Jerseys , if only, because of the incredible depth that team had. Signing Bennett for $4.5M on a one-year deal was a coup, as was the two-year deal given to Avril. However, if we operate under the assumption Seattle will try to double dip on pass rushers again, Ansah could be the Bennett of 2019, coming in on a one-year deal. Totaling 30 sacks in his first three seasons in the league, Ansah seemed well on his way to a major payday. His fourth season, however, saw him take a large step backwards, as Ansah posted just two sacks in 13 starts. Playing under the fifth-year option in 2017, Ansah seemed to reset his value with a 12 sack season. The Lions didn’t give him a chance to test his market, though, as they placed the franchise tag on him. Ansah couldn’t replicate his bounce back season of 2017 in 2018, as the now 29-year-old defensive end started just two games, collecting four sacks. Now, Ansah is heading towards his age-30 season without a long-term deal, nor the leverage to negotiate a lucrative one. He may choose to sign a one-year deal on a new team, in an effort to again reset his market value. Both Bennett and Avril parlayed short deals into large paydays, and Ansah could follow suit. Approximate deal: The closest comparison we have to Ansah’s situation from last offseason was Muhammad Wilkerson—an interior lineman rather than an EDGE—who signed a one-year, $5M deal in an attempt to reset his value following his release from the Jets. There’s a higher premium on EDGEs, and Ansah doesn’t come with the headaches that Wilkerson brought. A one-year deal around $8M could get Ansah in the building. Brandon GrahamOne of the Eagles’ Super Bowl heroes will finally hit free agency, after several years of being a rumored cap causality. Graham saw a four-year deal worth $6.5M APY through to the end, and will hit the open market entering his age-31 season, coming off a four sack campaign.Graham has never hit double-digit sacks in his career (the closest he came was 9.5 sacks in 2017), however Graham’s contributions go well beyond counting stats. He’s a solid run defender, disciplined on the edge—if both Graham and Ansah were signed by the Seahawks, it would likely be Graham starting on early downs, not Ansah. It wouldn’t be a particularly flashy signing, but Graham would be a tremendously steadying presence for Seattle.Approximate deal: A good comparison in terms of situation and role for Graham would be Adrian Clayborn, who signed a two-year, $10M deal ($5.5M guaranteed) with the Patriots in 2018. Clayborn has never hit double-digit sacks—the closest he came was 9.5 in 2017. Graham’s role Seattle Seahawks T-Shirts , age and production line up with Clayborn’s, and his new deal should as well. Bruce IrvinThe former Seahawk was potentially going to return to Seattle following his mid-season release from the Raiders, but his hometown Falcons came calling. Now, Irvin hits free agency. While staying with Atlanta may be preferred, one would imagine the Seahawks and Ken Norton Jr. would be a close second. Irvin doesn’t have the legs to play SAM linebacker in Pete Carroll’s defense anymore, but as a rotational rusher, he would be valuable. At the time of his release from Oakland, Irvin was 33rd in the NFL in pass rush win percentage from the edge. Managing his snaps and allowing him to focus strictly on rushing the passer is the best way to maximize him at this point in his career. Approximate deal: Irvin has gotten his big contract already, and is likely looking at a number of one- and two-year deals from here on out. A two-year deal around $5M total, with guarantees in the first season, could work for both player and team. Pernell McPheeOnce upon a time, McPhee represented the Ravens’ hemorrhaging of talent following Joe Flacco’s extension and a Super Bowl victory. McPhee was a terrific rotational rusher, with 7.5 sacks in his final season in Baltimore during the 2014 season. In his first season with the Bears in 2015, McPhee posted six sacks, continuing on as a valuable sub-package rusher. His output slowly dropped during his final two seasons in Chicago, and it bottomed out in 2018, his one and only season in Washington: Three tackles for loss, zero sacks. The majority of McPhee’s time has come as a linebacker in a system with three down linemen, however, he absolutely possesses the build and functional strength needed to play with his hand in the ground. Approximate deal: McPhee, like Irvin, will likely be playing on short-term deals for the remainder of his career. A one- or two-year deal, with guarantees restricted to the first year, would be a wise signing for Seattle. An average per year in the $2M-$2.5M range would be more than palatable. The free agent class of EDGEs is top heavy, with all the headliners—Clark, DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney and Trey Flowers—almost certain to re-sign with their current teams. A host of highly intriguing pass rushers are on expiring deals as well—Dee Ford, Shaquil Barrett and Preston Smith—but are restricted to stand-up roles in a 3-4 defense. A handful of rotational rushers should hit the market, but the lack of blue chip talent available means EDGE should remain the Seahawks’ biggest priority in the draft.