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Seattle Seahawks: 3 Key contributors departing in 2019 free agency

By Samuel Teets

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pursued by #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pursued by #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 02: D.J. Fluker #78 of the Seattle Seahawks during pre-game warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 02: D.J. Fluker #78 of the Seattle Seahawks during pre-game warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

2. D.J. Fluker

The other 2018 starting guard, J.R. Sweezy, is also set to become a free agent. However, D.J. Fluker is the better and, therefore, more important of the two. Obviously, Fluker played a crucial role in opening lanes for Carson, Davis and Penny. His play was one of the reasons why the Seahawks led the league in rushing yards per game. Losing him and Sweezy could have a long-term effect on how the Seahawks run their offense.

Fluker came to Seattle last offseason, along with Sweezy, and the two guards signed one-year deals worth $1.5 million. It’s hard to say how they’ll do on the free agent market though, considering that neither are viewed as great pass protectors, as shown by analysis.

Fluker received a less than glowing grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He got a 49.2, which was 68th best among all guards. In a free agent class that features A.J. Cann, T.J. Lang, Andy Levitre, Rodger Saffold and Quinton Spain, Fluker might get buried and return to Seattle at a reasonable price.

The Seahawks do have to consider if they want Fluker back, though. As I said, he’s not a great pass blocker and Russell Wilson was absolutely hammered all throughout 2018. There are plenty of starting guards available, but Fluker might be one of the only ones Seattle will feel comfortable paying.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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