The Seattle Seahawks are notorious for giving undrafted free agents a shot of making the team. Every year, the Seahawks seem to keep undrafted free agents over players that they drafted. Pete Carroll’s mantra of “always compete” resonates with players because he is willing to give everyone an equal shot. Nobody expected 2012 third round pick Russell Wilson to start as a rookie, but Carroll made him the starter because he was their best quarterback during practices and preseason games. Doug Baldwin led the Seahawks in receiving yards as an undrafted rookie in 2011 and Michael Bennett has blossomed into one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL after going undrafted in 2009. Here are a few undrafted rookies that will have a chance of making the team this season.
Seattle Seahawks Undrafted Free Agents to Watch
1. Jordan Roos: offensive guard – Purdue
Jordan Roos has been one of the stars of the off-season for the Seahawks. He’s been the most talked about undrafted free agent, and has even received some starter buzz. It’s unlikely that he’ll be a week one starter, but Pete Carroll will give him a chance. The Seahawks’ biggest weakness is their offensive line, so they need all the help they can get. Offensive line coach Tom Cable has been extremely impressed with Roos but acknowledges that he still needs to improve.
2. Jeremy Liggins: defensive tackle – Mississippi
Jeremy Liggins will have his work cut out for him to make the roster, but he was talented enough that he should’ve been drafted. Liggins is a great athlete, which is something that the Seahawks covet in their undrafted prospects. He played offensive line and tight end at Mississippi, but his skill set better resembles a defensive tackle. He was a junior college quarterback before transferring to Mississippi. He’s an interesting prospect that may take some time to develop, but he’s the type of prospect that the Seahawks love giving an opportunity.
3. Algernon Brown: fullback – BYU
The Seahawks are one of the few teams in the NFL that still use a fullback. They even had multiple fullbacks on their roster at times during the past few seasons, which is something that no other team would consider. They expect their fullbacks to be versatile with the ability to run, block, catch, and play special teams. Brown is the type of versatile fullback that can fulfill all of these obligations. Kyle Coleman is the only other fullback on the roster, and he’s also a rookie. Both will be given a chance of making the roster, but Brown’s versatile skill set will give him a leg up on Coleman.
4. Otha Peters: linebacker – Louisiana-Lafayette
Otha Peters is an undersized linebacker that was initially a four-star recruit at Arkansas. He decided to transfer closer to home due to an injury that he suffered during his sophomore season and because of the firing of head coach Bobby Petrino. Peters developed into a solid starter but wasn’t drafted because of his small stature. The Seahawks had past success with undersized linebackers (Bobby Wagner), so they should have a plan for Peters. Coach Pete Carroll wants to give Pro Bowl linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright more rest during the season to keep them fresher for the postseason. If Peters picks up the scheme quickly, he’s the type of athlete that could challenge to make the roster.
5. Tyrone Swoopes: tight end – Texas
Swoopes is the least likely of these five undrafted free agents to make the roster. He’s probably a practice squad candidate. Swoopes was a quarterback at Texas but is trying to make the transition to tight end in the NFL. He’s a great athlete and is built like a tight end, but will probably need time to learn the position before seeing the field in an NFL game. He’d be behind Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, and Nick Vannett on the depth chart. Swoopes will get his opportunity, but it’s more likely that he’ll need at least a season on the practice squad before suiting up in an NFL game.
