The Seahawks have 17 players who can turn unrestricted free agents on March 9. We're counting them down as the signing period nears, beginning with the players we have ranked 11th through 17th.
The NFL free agent signing period is now just a little over a week away – it begins March 9.
So it’s time to review the Seattle players who can be unrestricted free agents when that period begins if they are not re-signed by the Seahawks prior to that date.
We’re going to rate the players in order of their value to the Seahawks to retain (an order that we’ll readily admit could be subject to a lot of debate and discussion, but this is how we see it for now).
The Seahawks have 17 potential unrestricted free agents (they also have a handful of restricted and exclusive rights free agents).
We’ll cover players 11-17 in this post, and then devote separate posts to the top 10.
11, RB Bryce Brown
2015 salary: Brown made a pro-rated share of the three-year veteran minimum salary of $660,000.
Role with Seahawks in 2015: On and off the roster a couple of times last season as the Seahawks needed (or didn’t need) depth in the backfield, he ultimately played in three regular season games. However, he did not play in the playoffs, inactive for the Carolina game.
Free agent outlook: The Seahawks need depth in the backfield and may still feel that they want to take a longer look at Brown, who turns 25 in May.
12, FB Will Tukuafu
2015 salary: Tukuafu played for the 4-6-year veteran minimum of $745,000 plus an $80,000 signing bonus.
Role with Seahawks in 2015: Tukuafu was the backup fullback to Derrick Coleman but also played some on defense (officially, eight snaps) and also some H-back/tight end roles.
Free agent outlook: Tukuafu filled some valuable roles for the Seahawks in 2015. But he also turned 32 in January and the Seahawks might look to younger/cheaper players at fullback.
13, DE Demarcus Dobbs
2015 salary: Dobbs made the $745,000 minimum as a base and also got an $80,000 signing bonus.
Role with Seahawks in 2015: Several injuries made it hard for Dobbs to stay on the field in 2015 and he ultimately got just 118 snaps in the regular season making 11 tackles. He also had three in the playoff loss to Carolina.
Free agent outlook: The team has viewed Dobbs as a potentially valuable rotational player up front and the Seahawks may want to give him another shot at a minimum-type salary.
14, OL Lemuel Jeanpierre
2015 salary: Jeanpierre, brought back in October after an injury to Patrick Lewis, made the veteran minimum salary of $745,000 in 2015 as well as an $80,000 signing bonus.
Role with Seahawks in 2015: Jeanpierre played sparingly in 2015, just 25 snaps on offense (though 84 on special teams) serving as a backup swing player inside.
Free agent outlook: Jeanpierre has been another security blanket veteran the last few years, called back a couple of times to help in times of need. But he turns 29 in May and with the Seahawks wanting to increase the talent and depth on the offensive line, this might be the end of the line for Jeanpierre.
15, TE Chase Coffman
2015 salary: Coffman made a pro-rated share of the 4-6-year veteran salary of $745,000 when he was signed in December.
Role with Seahawks in 2015: Coffman was brough in after the injury to Jimmy Graham and had a nice game in the season finale blowout of Arizona with four receptions and a touchdown. He did not catch a pass in the playoffs.
Free agent outlook: Coffman will turn 30 in November so he’s not a developmental player at this point. But if the Seahawks want some depth and someone who is familiar with the team and the playbook, Coffman could again get the call.
16, TE Anthony McCoy
2015 salary: McCoy, re-signed Dec. 9, made a pro-rated share of the third-year veteran minimum salary of $660,000.
Role with Seahawks in 2015: McCoy was brought back following the injury to Jimmy Graham and also some uncertainty to Luke Willson. But he played in just one game, against Baltimore, before suffering an ankle injury and landing back on Injured Reserve.
Free agent outlook: The Seahawks have long seemed enamored of McCoy, re-signing him in both 2014 and 2015 after he missed he previous years with injuries and then bringing him back last year when injuries hit again. But this could be the end of the line as the Seahawks may want to try to younger, potentially cheaper options in depth roles.
17, RB Fred Jackson
2015 salary: $870,000 base, $30,000 roster bonus
Role with Seahawks in 2015: Jackson was signed a few days before the season began to fill a role as a third-down back and a backup following an injury to Robert Turbin and the trade of Christine Michael. Jackson had a few decent moments, scoring touchdowns on passes in the Green Bay and Minnesota regular season games and finished the year with 100 yards rushing on 28 carries.
Free agent outlook: Jackson, who turned 35 last month, says he wants to continue playing. But it will almost certainly not be with the Seahawks, who are expected to look at younger players to add depth behind Thomas Rawls and to compete for the third-down role (Seattle has already signed free agent Cameron Marshall out of the CFL, a player whose skillset appears to fit the third-down back mold).