The Seattle Seahawks saw two long-shot edge rushing targets off the board after Maxx Crosby returned to the Las Vegas Raiders and Trey Hendrickson signed with the Baltimore Ravens, but they could still have the chance to make a veteran addition.
The Seahawks were not among the teams listed as likely landing spots for either Crosby or Hendrickson, but were still considered contenders as the team looks to defend its Super Bowl title. The Seahawks are still expected to address the position in free agency, and could find an accomplished target in Joey Bosa.
Seahawks Could Target Cost-Effective Targets After Maxx Crosby Returned to Raiders
The Seahawks have a hole in their edge-rushing group after Boye Mafe signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Michael Hanich of SI.com suggested the Seahawks could find a cost-effective replacement for a player who saw his role shrinking in the Super Bowl season.
“Mafe went from starter to role player as Derick Hall developed, and the Seahawks signed veteran DeMarcus Lawrence,” Hanich wrote. “He accounted for two sacks and 40 quarterback pressures this past season. If the Seahawks can find a player who can account for a fraction of production at the right price, it will be a successful move.”
The group of potential targets includes Bosa, who is a free agent after his one-year, $12.6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills came to an end.
“There are some free agent options Seattle could go for, including Joey Bosa, Arnold Ebiketie, and K’Lavon Chaisson,” Hanich wrote. “The Seahawks could also go for an older veteran who is on the verge of retirement but still has some juice left in the tank, like Cameron Jordan.”
Seahawks Could Face Competition for Joey Bosa
Bosa could become a hot commodity after Crosby and Hendrickson came off the board. ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked him as the No. 6 top free agent available on Friday, noting that Bosa can be an asset as a specialty player.
“Bosa has played in at least 14 games over the past two seasons after injuries limited him to a total of 13 games from 2022 to 2023,” Bowen wrote. “Averaging 36.3 snaps per game for the Bills, he had 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 42 pressures. Bosa should be viewed as a situational rusher who can still win with speed-to-power. His effort level also leads to production late in the play.”
The Bills could also be a contender to land Bosa, especially if he’s willing to take a discount to return to a team that already added veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
The Seahawks could also add some younger talent to their pass-rushing group, with some analysts predicting they will use a draft pick to land new talent. Ryan McCrystal of Sharp Football noted that the team could have several potential targets with the No. 32 overall pick.
“Seattle’s pass-rush unit was effective this year, but most of the key players are over the age of 30, necessitating a youth movement in the defensive front,” McCrystal wrote. “There’s a long list of fringe first-round prospects, including Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, Clemson’s T.J. Parker, and Missouri’s Zion Young.”
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