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Seattle Seahawks: 3 Remaining free agents to consider signing

By Samuel Teets

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 30: Jermaine Kearse #15 of the Seattle Seahawks catches the ball out of bounds in the enzone at the end of the game over B.W. Webb #28 of the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 30, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won the game 25 -20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 30: Jermaine Kearse #15 of the Seattle Seahawks catches the ball out of bounds in the enzone at the end of the game over B.W. Webb #28 of the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 30, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won the game 25 -20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 23: Jermaine Kearse #10 of the New York Jets reacts against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 23: Jermaine Kearse #10 of the New York Jets reacts against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Jermaine Kearse, WR

The Seahawks wide receiver situation is very interesting. The team has a wealth of young players that might make a signing like this totally unnecessary, but Jermaine Kearse is a known factor while most of the young players have yet to prove that their abilities translate to the pro level.

Kearse also has a history with the team — he spent his first five seasons there — and Russell Wilson. Given all of the new faces Wilson is seeing and how he just lost his favorite target in Doug Baldwin, a Kearse signing could be welcomed.

The two arguments against a Kearse deal have to do with giving snaps to younger players and the financial element of bringing the former undrafted free agent back. Production shouldn’t be considered an issue when assessing Kearse. In two seasons with the Jets, he posted 102 receptions, 1,181 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. This past season, with Sam Darnold at the helm, was Kearse’s worst season since 2013, but it came on the heels of 2017, which was his best season.

In all likelihood, Kearse is worth about the average of his 2017 and 2018 campaigns, which puts him at 51 receptions and 590 receiving yards. If he’d posted those numbers on the Seahawks last season, he would have recorded one more reception than Baldwin with just 28 fewer receiving yards, putting him in second and third on the team, respectively.

The two arguments about Kearse, wanting to focus on developing younger players and the financial aspect, are strong, but the Seahawks should still take a look at the veteran. He was an undrafted free agent, just like Baldwin, and already has a relationship with Wilson. For the right price, he would be an intriguing veteran addition.

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