NFL free agency 2018: Best defensive linemen available

Looks like trading for defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson was a mistake for the Seattle Seahawks. Richardson had been a talented, but enigmatic player with the New York Jets the four years prior. But the Seahawks needed another pass rusher along the defensive line. He registered one sack and Jermaine Kearse actually helped Josh McCown in the not terrible Jets’ passing game.

Seattle is about to enter a tough period in their franchise. Many of the Seahawks’ best players are approaching 30 and their salaries aren’t coming down. Seattle has at least two building blocks for the future in quarterback Russell Wilson and inside linebacker Bobby Wagner. However, Richardson could be good as gone in 2018. One sack, come on!

That being said, Richardson will be on his second contract this spring. Keep in mind that he was a former No. 13 overall pick by the Jets in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Missouri. That program is known for its ability to produce high-end defensive talent. So we all know that it still lies within Richardson. It is just a matter of being able to fully tap into the potential for seemingly the first time.

Richardson made $8,069,000 in salary in 2017 with the Seahawks. He earned $10,054,000 in his first four years in the league with the Jets. For Richardson, it is all about finding the right locker room for him to be a part of. He may not make as much as we would have thought this time last year, but could be worth the gamble for some team in desperate need to upgrade at defensive line.