With Frank Clark heading to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seattle Seahawks are left with an additional draft pick, nearly $17 million in additional salary cap space and virtually no experienced edge rushers on their roster.
While the team is certainly going to use the extra pick, the extra money or both to add to their pass rush, the trade does open up an opportunity for two 2018 draft picks — Rasheem Green and Jacob Martin — to step into bigger roles next season.
Green was Seattle’s third-round pick last year out of USC. The soon-to-be 22-year-old played in 10 games for the Seahawks as a rotational defensive end, picking up one sack and seven solo tackles.
Martin was Seattle’s sixth-round selection. A hybrid edge rusher, Martin impressed with his high motor and excellent speed off the edge, racking up three sacks and eight quarterback hits while appearing in all 16 games. Martin’s performance prompted coach Pete Carroll to say he will get more use as a pass rusher next season.
Both Green and Martin will be expected to step up into bigger roles next year regardless of what other moves Seattle makes on the defensive line.
