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Seahawks Free Agency Grades for Each Signing

By Ben Renner

January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) reacts after he broke up the pass for the 2-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Bradley McDougald S 1 year, $1.8 Million

Grade: B-

I gave the McDougald signing a solid grade because he’ll be a solid backup in the event that either Kam Chancellor or Earl Thomas goes down with an injury. We saw what happened without the otherworldly skills of Thomas last year in the defensive lineup. Backup Steven Terrell wasn’t well, terrible, but the absence of the best free safety in the game was felt throughout the defense.

The Seahawks are an average defensive team without Thomas. I’d venture to say they’re slightly above-average with Thomas but without Chancellor. If McDougald can show the same ability that got him a starting gig in Tampa Bay (he intercepted a Wilson pass last season during the ugly 14-5 defeat at Raymond James Stadium), he’ll be a worthy investment capable of maintaining a respectable level of play for the Legion of Boom if one of its All-World safeties goes down.

Then again, if the Seahawks draft a safety like Obi Melifonwu next month, I could see McDougald losing his spot as the primary backup. Carroll is known for being a defensive back whisperer who can develop young talent in the secondary, so adding a veteran safety to the mix might not be a great use of resources if Schneider can dig up another diamond in the later round rough of the draft.

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