Throughout the offseason, NSS will be looking at possible free agents that the Seahawks may be interested in. This time we’ll be looking at wide receivers.
The Seahawks have two WR unrestricted free agents in Koren Robinson and Bobby Engram. Deion Branch and Nate Burleson have both showed they are injury prone, especially Branch. Burleson has had problems in both of his knees while branch seems to be made of glass, racking up injuries all over his body.
There is a good chance Engram will be snatched up in the free agent market and Koren Robinson doesn’t seem to be the future of the franchise. The Seahawks may be looking to the free agent market to fill holes in the position, much like they did in 2007 to fix the secondary.
To check the free agent list...
Here is a list of some of the top wide receivers in the free agent market. For a Full list a free agents, click here. Click on the image below for a closer look.
Of the 10 free agents, Antonio Bryant stands out as by far and away the top unrestricted free agent receiver. And there’s a major bonus: he is familiar with the West Coast offense. At 27, he still has many quality years left in him. However, he would most likely command a high salary and put a drain on our cap like most big name free agents often do. This is what Bryant can do. When was the last time you saw a Seahawk do that?
But Bryant also has a major downside: Bryant has a criminal history. He was arrested for allegedly driving his orange lambo about 100 mph while he was drunk. This was in 2006, and he hasn't done anything to warrant another four-game suspension.
Hank Baskett would probably fetch a lower price and bring west coast offense experience to the squad. He also has a bonus that is lacking from other Seahawks receivers: size. He’s 6-4, 220. He’s also only missed one game since joining the Eagles as a rookie in 2006. But, he is a restricted free agent, meaning the Eagles have the first right of refusal when another club offers the player a deal. For an extensive definition of the free agent process check out this site.
Probably the most salient unrestricted free agent is T.J. Houshmandzadah. However, Antonio Bryant has way more upside than T.J, such as more size, something the Seahawks lack and is four years younger. T.J. would likely fetch a very high contract, probably similar if not more than Bryant. The clincher is Bryant’s familiarity with the west coast offense, which can be difficult master and T.J. has played with the Bengals his entire career. Both players have missed very few games due to injuries, especially Bryant.
There’s also the touchdown machine Lance Moore, and the deep threat Devery Henderson, both coming from the Saints and both are unrestricted free agents. They had great years, benefiting from Drew Brees’s arm. One will likely find a home elsewhere, but probably not with the Seahawks. Lance Moore could replace Bobby at the slot position. However, IR’ed Logan Payne had a good showing last preseason and could be Bobby’s heir apparent. Henderson probably has no chance to wear a Seahawk uniform because he has the same skill sets as Nate Burleson.
Most of the other free agents don’t seem like plausible upgrades to the current roster. But, the Seahawks front office always manages to surprise me every year.
Your take. Any WRs you think the Seahawks would be interested in? Make a case for others in the comments below.
