Seattle Seahawks: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp

3. Everson Griffen, DE

Seattle needs at least one more pass rusher before the 2020 season starts. It’s understandable that the team might want to give playing time to its younger players, but Seattle’s Super Bowl window won’t wait for L.J. Collier or Darrell Taylor to figure out what they’re doing. The Seahawks need proven sack artists.

Signing Bruce Irvin in free agency was a step in the right direction for Seattle. The Seahawks drafted Irvin with the 15th overall pick in 2012, but the team didn’t pick up his fifth-year option. Now, after compiling 30 sacks during his four seasons away from the organization, Irvin brings a proven, veteran presence to Seattle.

While the Irvin addition helped Seattle’s feeble pass rush, signing Everson Griffen could fix the whole problem. A four-time Pro Bowler, Griffen amassed 57 sacks during his six seasons as a full-time starter in Minnesota. Last year, he produced eight sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and 41 tackles in 15 games.

For reference, Rasheem Green led the Seahawks with four sacks in 2019. Even during Griffen’s 2018 season, when he battled mental health issues and only appeared in 11 games, the defensive end still produced 5.5 sacks. Griffen’s 33 tackles from 2018 also surpassed all individual tackle totals compiled by Seattle’s defensive lineman last season. Poona Ford led the unit with 32.