The Seattle Seahawks, perhaps more than any other NFL team, excel at finding undrafted free agents and turning them into stars. While Doug Baldwin is the best example of that, Poona Ford is on a similar path.
With only four picks in this year’s draft, and none past the fifth round, it is imperative Seattle find some talented undrafted players to bring into camp and compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Below are three players who are expected to go undrafted (although of course, that could change) Seattle should target.
Jake Browning, Quarterback, Washington
If former University of Washington quarterback Jake Browning doesn’t get drafted, he’d be a prime candidate to participate in training camp just across the I-90 bridge with the Seahawks.
Presently, Seattle only has two quarterbacks on the roster – Russell Wilson and Paxton Lynch. The Seahawks will likely have at least one more in camp to push Lynch for the backup job, and Browning seems like a prime candidate – especially after Seattle met with him at the combine and attended his Pro Day.
Concerns about Browning’s arm strength and poise could push him out of the draft, and he’d have a long road to beat out Lynch for a job in Seattle, but having some extra competition in camp is never a bad thing.
Alec Ingold, Fullback, Wisconsin
The Seahawks let Tre Madden walk in free agency, leaving them with a vacancy at the fullback position.
While they didn’t use Madden a ton last season, opting for more single-back looks, coach Pete Carroll has always loved his fullbacks and will no doubt have a handful in camp to compete for a roster spot.
One of them should be Wisconsin’s Alec Ingold, particularly if he doesn’t get drafted.
Ingold was a state wrestling champ in high school, as well as a quarterback and linebacker before getting to Wisconsin – where he eventually thrived as a lead blocker and occasional pass catcher.
Carroll loves his multi-sport athletes, and Ingold could be a nice fit as a rotational fullback and special teamer for the Seahawks next season.
Corrion Ballard, Safety, Utah
Ballard worked out with a handful of NFL teams, including the Seahawks, after running a nice 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. His speed and his size (six-foot-three, 203 pounds) make him an intriguing prospect after an accomplished career at the University of Utah.
Ballard is primarily a box safety, where Seattle already has Bradley McDougald. However, if he goes undrafted, he’d be a great player to bring in as a special teamer, while he develops under McDougald with the opportunity to take his place after 2020 when McDougald becomes a free agent.
