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Seattle Seahawks free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

By Russell S. Baxter

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 30: Pete Carroll taps Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during warm ups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 30, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 30: Pete Carroll taps Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during warm ups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 30, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Defensive end Alex Okafor #57 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 35-31. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Defensive end Alex Okafor #57 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 35-31. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

What should be the Seattle Seahawks’ free agency strategy heading into the 2021 offseason? 

Seemingly, the last thing on the mind of the Seattle Seahawks’ organization at the moment may be free agency. The recent reports about quarterback Russell Wilson and his lack of satisfaction with the franchise have thrust the defending NFC West champions have thrown the team into the national spotlight.

But there is still a business to run. And the club has some salary cap room (see Spotrac) to work with this offseason but still have some key veterans that they may want to retain.

This is a team that has posted a winning record nine consecutive seasons and reached the playoffs eight times – all dating back to Wilson’s arrival in 2012. So how can this team another early postseason exit and which free agents would be solid fits to pursue?

5. DE Alex Okafor (Kansas City Chiefs)

Last year near the trade deadline, general manager John Schneider addressed the team’s disappointing pass rush by obtaining defensive end Carlos Dunlap via trade from the Cincinnati Bengals. And last summer, the Seahawks gave up plenty in a deal with the New York Jets to add safety Jamal Adams. This duo wound up combining for 14.5 sacks, 9.5 of those by Adams.

All told, Seattle defenders racked up 46 QB traps in 2020 – 18 more than the previous year (28). But Dunlap can hit the free-agent market on March 17. So steady veteran Alex Okafor could be a reliable and economical addition. He spent the past two seasons with the Chiefs after stints with the Cardinals and Saints. He’s racked up a modest 30 sacks in 89 regular-season contests.

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