With the Seahawks facing the probable losses of unrestricted free agents TE Jimmy Graham and DT Sheldon Richardson, reports say they are considering adding TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins and DT Ndamukong Suh as potential replacements. Suh, who is expected to be released by Miami ahead of the new league year Wednesday, was in Seattle Monday. Jenkins, the former Washington Huskies star, is slated for a visit this week.
Graham led the NFL with 10 red zone touchdown catches, but the Seahawks paid him $10 million last season. His backup, Luke Willson, is also an unrestricted free agent.
CBSSports.com reported Seattle has a strong interest in signing Seferian-Jenkins, 25, a Fox Island native from Gig Harbor High School who has spent the past season with the New York Jets. Seferian-Jenkins, who has attracted interest from the Atlanta Falcons, played in 13 games (10 starts), catching 50 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
He has never appeared in more than 13 games nor caught more than four TDs in a season. But he’s 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds and has had to overcome injuries and a 2016 DUI incident in Tampa as well as another one in 2013 while at Washington.
Seferian-Jenkins said he underwent treatment for alcohol addiction and has remained sober.
Seferian-Jenkins reportedly turned down a two-year, $8 million deal to remain with the Jets. Whether the Seahawks can afford a higher amount is an open question. Seattle might have to bid against the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.
Seattle has only one tight end on its roster, Nick Vannett.
The 31-year-old Suh three years ago signed a six-year, $114 million contract with the Dolphins. During his tenure in Miami, has notched 15.5 sacks (second in the league among DTs) and ranks first in quarterback hits (147) and tackles for loss (103) — despite constantly facing double teams.
Suh has made the Pro Bowl five times in eight seasons and been named a first team All-Pro three times. He would serve as a replacement for Richardson if Richardson explores his options in free agency.
Since Suh still has three years left on his deal with the Dolphins, the Seahawks can’t host a visit until the Dolphins officially release him. But that didn’t stop him from traveling to Seattle, where he posted a tweet Monday saying, “Stay tuned. There could be some exciting things going on !”
⏱ 5:25 AM
📍 Seattle, WA#RiseAndGrind pic.twitter.com/ABbCAvutj3— Ndamukong Suh (@NdamukongSuh) March 12, 2018
Not only are the Seahawks facing the loss of Richardson, they have already dealt DE Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles. Suh, a Portland native, had 4.5 sacks in 2017, with two forced fumbles and 29 tackles. The Jets are the team reportedly most interested in signing Richardson, who had 37 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and an interception in his first, and perhaps only, season with Seattle.
Seattle’s unrestricted free agents
| Date | Player | Pos. | AAV | 2017 Season/Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| —– | Jimmy Graham | TE | 10M | 10 red-zone TDs, career-low yards |
| —– | Luke Joeckel | LG | 8M | Missed 5 games with injuries |
| —– | Eddie Lacy | RB | 4.25M | Bust: 179 yards, 0 TDs |
| —– | S. Richardson | DT | 3.6M | Hot commodity after solid year in SEA |
| —– | Bradley MacDougald | S | 1.8M | Reportedly re-signed for 3 years, $13M |
| —– | Luke Willson | TE | 1.8M | Value jumps if Graham leaves |
| —– | Michael Wilhoite | LB | 1.55M | Best beard on team |
| —– | DeShawn Shead | CB | 1.2M | Hurt most of ’17, likely to return |
| —– | Paul Richardson | WR | 1.17M | Best deep threat |
| —– | Blair Walsh | K | 1.1M | Eight FG misses |
| —– | Marcus Smith | DE | 990K | A serviceable backup |
| —– | Oday Aboushi | RG | 975K | Played 8 games before injury |
| —– | Matt Tobin | LT | 862K | Played sparingly |
| —– | Terence Garvin | LB | 855K | Solid special teamer |
| —– | Austin Davis | QB | 855K | Played two snaps, but a veteran |
| —– | Byron Maxwell | CB | 755K | Played well in spurts |
Restricted free agents
| Date | Player | Pos. | AAV | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| —– | Dewey McDonald | LB | 690K | Spent most of year on IR |
| —– | Dion Jordan | DE | 640K | 5 games in ’17, impressive pass rusher |
| —– | Justin Coleman | CB | 615K | Underrated addition to secondary |
| —– | Mike Davis | RB | 615K | Led Seattle RBs with 240 rush yards |
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2239313 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2239313">13 Comments
DeMarco Murray is also coming to Seattle to visit Seahawks.
I’d prefer Jonathan Stewart over him. I rarely fall for the local-boy-comes-home stories, but I’d make an exception for J-Stew. Still hoping that Carson can ultimately take over and keep the #1 spot though.
Eddie Lacey redux.
You sure? One guy needs to change his dietary habits. The other guy just needs a change of scenery. Big difference.
Jonathan Stewart reportedly going to the Giants. Jimmy Graham going to the Packers.
For pure talent, Suh would be a great addition on a defensive line that lost Bennett. However, his annual tendency to get suspended is a big minus. Frank Clark is enough of a powder keg for a team, I really don’t think we need another.
Free agent receiver Paul Richardson signing deal with Redskins.
Suh, no thanks. Kaepernick, yes.
Focus on the restricted agents, no one in the unrestricted category is worth getting into a bidding war on. We should be looking for young players that want to sign a 5 year deal that has low cap toward years 3-5. Players close to age 30 or asking to make top 15 money at the position should be avoided at all costs. Trying to “extend” a window is dangerous, see Broncos, 49’ers, Ravens, and other teams that attempted it without drafting well for years as examples of what it being risked. I really not sure why the Hawks would consider Suh, or even ASJ, unless they want to be paid poorly to play on a team that may or may not make the playoffs.
Overall, could not agree more. However, There are caveats to each of these guys: ASJ is only 25 years old and could thrive under Pete Carroll; and Suh is a transcendent talent (but at 31, to your point, how close is his wall?)
I’m glad the Seahawks no longer follow the Ruskell rule of only getting ‘quality’ individuals, but these are two proven knuckleheads. If Sherman talked his way out of town by being a well thought, bright individual and great citizen with just an annoying habit of thinking he was always right and being loud about it, bringing in Suh and ASJ is a bit of a head scratcher.
We don’t need Jerramy Stevens Part 2. Vannett appears to maybe be the kind of guy who blocks and catches. He looks kinda like a Mini Gronk.
Seferian-Jenkins left town without a deal.
Sheldon wants $15m, Hawks offered 11. He’s gone, too.