The Seattle Seahawks, like 30 other NFL teams, did not make a selection in this week’s supplemental draft.
Five players were available and only one ended up being selected after Arizona used a 2020 fifth-round pick on former Washington State safety Jalen Thompson.
Thompson will give Arizona an added boost in the secondary, and will join former Washington defensive backs Byron Murphy and Budda Baker down in the desert.
Shortly after the draft concluded, West Virginia receiver Marcus Simms was reportedly signed by the Jaguars.
He was considered the second-besy prospect available in the draft, and some thought Seattle might show interest in reuniting him with teammate Gary Jennings in the Emerald City.
That leaves three other players who are now free agents and are ineligible to return to college: Syracuse linebacker Shyheim Cullen, Northland Community College tight end Devonaire Clarington and St. Francis defensive back Bryant Perry.
The Seahawks have never been afraid to add talent to their roster late in the summer. Here is a look at the three remaining free agents, and whether they could be a realistic fit with the Seahawks this season.
Shyheim Cullen, LB, Syracuse
Cullen was ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA, and thus entered the supplemental draft.
The linebacker recorded 43 total tackles and one sack in three years with the Orange.
He reportedly posted a 31-inch vertical jump and a 4.51 time in the 40-yard dash, according to Syracuse’s website, which would have ranked third and fifth among linebackers at the combine, respectively.
His athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect, and one that may end up in an NFL camp, but the Seahawks are absolutely stacked at linebacker and seem unlikely to take on anyone else.
A starting unit of Mychal Kendricks, Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright could be the best in the league.
Barkevious Mingo, Shaquem Griffin, Austin Calitro, Ben Burr-Kirven, Cody Barton and Emmanuel Ellerbee will make for a very interesting battle in camp to be the team’s primary backups, one that doesn’t have a lot of room for anyone else.
Devonaire Clarington, TE, Northland Community College
Clarington was originally committed to play at Texas, so he’s not your average JUCO draft hopeful. However, academic issues prevented him from ever suiting up for the Longhorns, and he bounced around a pair of different community colleges before declaring for the supplemental draft.
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 230 pounds, Clarington possesses excellent size for the tight end spot, not to mention a 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash, according to NFL reporter Dov Kleiman.
Like Cullen, this is another player who might interest the Seahawks in any other year. However, the team currently has a lot of solid options at tight end and doesn’t seem likely to add to the mix.
A healthy Will Dissly will be Seattle’s starter this season after impressing in four games last year. Ed Dickson and Nick Vannett will challenge for playing time as well, and newcomer Jacob Hollister has really impressed coach Pete Carroll since coming over in a trade.
That’s not to mention tackle George Fant, who has transitioned into a tight end role and looks to have a bigger role in the offense next season.
That doesn’t leave a lot of room for Clarington, who may have to settle for an XFL job to try to make his way into the NFL.
Bryant Perry, DB, St. Francis
Perry appeared in seven games for St. Francis last season, racking up 24 tackles (18 solo) and three pass breakups.
Prior to his time with St. Francis, Perry was at Mesabi Range Community College for two seasons, where he posted 55 tackles, six pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Perry is listed at 6-foot and 180 pounds, a bit undersized for a Carroll-type defensive back, although other measurements on Perry are unknown.
He held a workout in Chicago a few days before the draft, although it is uncertain if the Seahawks had any representatives present.
The defensive backfield is perhaps the position Seattle could most afford to add more competition, although it seems unlikely the Seahawks will bring Perry into the fold.
