As you’d expect, free agency has slowed down since the frenzy of the first two days, but moves will still happen today.
From a Seahawks perspective, two names to watch Friday will be defensive tackles Henry Melton and Vance Walker, who both reportedly have visits scheduled with Seattle.
Source: FA DT Henry Melton is on his way this morning to travel for a visit to Seattle.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 14, 2014
DT Vance Walker not only hasn’t signed yet but he’s visiting #Seahawks Sunday, per his agent
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 14, 2014
UPDATE: Walker has reportedly agreed to a deal with Kansas City, so we can cross him off Seattle’s list.
Melton has been a standout interior pass rusher for Chicago, and if not for a torn ACL suffered early last season, would have been one of the top free agents on the market. Because of his injury, however, he could represent a good value signing who might like the idea of coming to Seattle on a one-year “prove it” deal, similar to what Michael Bennett did a year ago. Melton, who had 13 sacks from 2011 to 2012, could be an ideal replacement as an interior pass rusher for Clinton McDonald, who signed with Tampa Bay on Day 1 of free agency.
With the Seahawks also still in the running for Jared Allen, and with McDonald, Red Bryant and Chris Clemons gone, Seattle’s defensive line could look quite a bit different in 2014.
Seahawks free agents leaving
DT Clinton McDonald signed with Tampa Bay on Tuesday, while LB/DE O’Brien Schofield signed with the New York Giants. Schofield’s deal didn’t go through because of issues that came up in his physical, so he remains unsigned. S Chris Maragos signed with Philadelphia Tuesday. WR Golden Tate signed with Detroit Wednesday. Starting RT Breno Giacomini agreed to a deal with the New York Jets Wednesday evening, the team announced. CB Brandon Browner signed with New England Friday.
Seahawks free agents staying
DE Michael Bennett re-signed Monday, TE Anthony McCoy re-signed Tuesday. Starting DT Tony McDaniel has agreed to a two-year deal worth $6.3 million according to multiple reports. Backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson wrote on Twitter late Wednesday night that he is coming back.
New free agent signings
The Seahawks have agreed to terms on a deal with free agent WR Taylor Price, a third-round pick in 2010 who has missed the last two seasons with foot injury. Price has a lot of athletic upside, but little production in his NFL career.
Cap casualties
DE Chris Clemons was released Wednesday in a move that had been expected. He agreed to a deal with Jacksonville Thursday. DE Red Bryant was released earlier this month and has since signed with Jacksonville. WR Sidney Rice was released at the same time and remains unsigned.
Reports, rumors, visits, etc.
Vikings DE Jared Allen, Cowboys DT Jason Hatcher and Packers TE Jermichael Finley are all scheduled to visit Seattle. UPDATE: Hatcher signed with Washington. Also, there is reportedly mutual interest between Finley and Seattle if his neck injury checks out.
Seahawks CB Walter Thurmond visited the Jaguars. He reportedly is returning to Seattle from Jacksonville to meet with the Seahawks, so don’t assume Thurmond is gone just yet. UPDATE: Thurmond Tweeted he’s also visiting the 49ers.
Receiver Sidney Rice, who was released by the Seahawks, is apparently back on Seattle’s radar, which hardly comes as a surprise give what Pete Carroll said earlier this month.
DTs Henry Melton has a visit scheduled with Seattle.
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