Seahawks looking for first-round pick still for DE Frank Clark
By Jason Cole
Seattle still looking to deal Clark, who is under the franchise tag for the 2019 season. Hawks hope to get a first-round pick in any deal.
ESPN Adam Schefter reiterated a report from FanSided.com that the Seattle Seahawks are still hoping to deal defensive end Frank Clark in advance of the draft on Thursday and hope to get a first-round pick as part of the deal.
FanSided’s Matt Verderame reported last week that word around the NFL is that the Seahawks would be willing to take less than that for Clark, starting with a second-round pick in any deal. Seattle has been trying to deal Clark almost from the time the team placed the franchise tag on him earlier this offseason.
Clark has yet to sign the one-year, $17.128 million tag and the sides have not had serious talks on a long-term deal. Clark was a controversial second-round pick by Seattle in 2015. He was arrested for domestic violence in 2014 and kicked off the University of Michigan team that year. However, Clark has been an excellent player for Seattle, leading the team in sacks last season with 13. He also forced four fumbles and had an interception.
He has had 32 sacks over the past three seasons and has 35 in his four-year career. However, the market for pass rushers has been thin this offseason because of the abundance of them in the draft. There are approximately 14 pass rushers who are expected to go in the first round along on Thursday.
In addition, the Seahawks are interested in conserving salary cap space after recently giving quarterback Russell Wilson a four-year, $140 million contract extension.