The Seattle Seahawks handled a huge chunk of their offseason tasks this week, signing kicker Jason Myers and guard Mike Iupati while making sure to bring back D.J. Fluker, K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks.
However, the team still has one big position of need to fill, and that’s in the pass rush. Frank Clark is back and will play at least through 2019 on his franchise tag, but Seattle could use more reinforcements on the other edge.
Even though most of the big name free agents have already signed, there are still plenty of options out there for Seattle to pursue.
Here are four pass rushers that could fit on Seattle’s defensive unit that they should consider pursuing.
Justin Houston
Houston is the most accomplished of the bunch, getting named to four Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro back in 2014, when he recorded a staggering 22.0 sacks.
The 29-year-old is hitting free agency after spending his entire career with the Chiefs, and coming off yet another elite season where he recorded 9.0 sacks and earned a 85.7 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Seattle is unlikely to have the budget necessary to bring Houston into the fold, particularly when looking at some of the contracts that have already been doled out this offseason.
Should they decide to bring in the edge rusher, he would immediately join Seattle’s young defense by providing them with veteran leadership alongside Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, and opposite Frank Clark.
He’s probably the least likely to make it to the Emerald City, but the most impactful if he does.
Ezekiel Ansah
Ansah avoided getting franchised tagged by the Lions for the second consecutive year, and will instead hit free agency on the heels of an injury-riddled season.
Ansah played in just seven games last season, starting two, while recording four sacks and earning a 74.5 grade from Pro Football Focus.
He has a long history as an elite pass rusher, but at age 30 signing him would come with considerable risk. If his price falls down into the range that makes Seattle comfortable taking that risk, he could form a formidable pass rushing attack alongside Clark.
Adrian Clayborn
Clayborn only recently became available after the Patriots released the 30-year-old following a disappointing 2018 season. Clayborn played in 14 games, starting one, but only recorded 11 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks.
He was still given a 67.7 grade from Pro Football Focus however, ranking No. 50 among all edge defenders.
Clayborn recorded 9.5 sacks in 2017, and has a proven track record as a pass rusher, with 32.5 career sacks.
Seattle could use a veteran to slot in on their young defensive line, and if Clayborn appears healthy and his price is reasonable, he could be a nice veteran target for Pete Carroll and company to pursue.
Bruce Irvin
Irvin is set to hit free agency after splitting last season between the Raiders and the Falcons. The former Seahawk was considered an option to join the team after Oakland released him, but he decided to play for his hometown Falcons instead.
Now he looks like a nice fit for Seattle on paper.
Irvin was a monster for Seattle from 2012-2015, racking up 143 tackles, 22 sacks, three interceptions and two touchdowns while helping lead Seattle to a Super Bowl victory.
He’s 31 now, but has not missed a game in three seasons and appears just as healthy as ever, coming off a 6.5 sack season in 2018.
Irvin is a familiar face who would look great opposite Frank Clark, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks in the process.
