The Seattle Seahawks have placed the franchise tag on defensive end Frank Clark, per multiple reports. The tag will be worth $17.1 million for the 2019 season. Clark has spent his entire four-year career with the Seahawks.
The #Seahawks are expected to use the franchise tag on Frank Clark, sources tell @PSchrags and me. Hope continues to be a long-term deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 4, 2019
Frank Clark Gets Franchise Tagged by Seattle Seahawks
Starting 16 games for the first time in 2018, the 25-year-old pass rusher enjoyed a career season across the board by setting personal bests in sacks (13), quarterback hits (27), solo tackles (41), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (two). His highly-productive fourth season earned him the seventh spot on our website’s annual Top 10 Pro Bowl Snubs list. Clark’s edge-rushing prowess was critical in Seattle placing in the top half of the NFL in both total defense and scoring defense.
Drafted in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, Clark has developed into a talented professional player. Registering only three sacks as a rookie, he posted 10 takedowns in year two. Slightly dipping to only nine for 2017, he rebounded with the aforementioned career outing. With the Seahawks not being their once-dominant selves in the secondary, Clark’s presence, along with star linebacker Bobby Wagner, will continue to be depended on for the franchise to remain in postseason contention.
Born in Cleveland, OH, Clark played his high school ball under the stewardship of Ted Ginn Sr. Playing numerous positions, Ginn considered Clark to be a natural fit as a pass rusher. Ultimately opting to play collegiately at the University of Michigan, he earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2013.