The first wave of NFL free agency has wrapped up, and the Seattle Seahawks have made some strategic moves. They successfully retained wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Josh Jobe, both of whom were in high demand. However, the team faced significant losses with the departures of key starters Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant, and Riq Woolen.
General Manager John Schneider focused on keeping depth intact, holding onto players like Drake Thomas and Josh Jones. His approach to external signings has been cautious, bringing in rotational players such as Emanuel Wilson, Rodney Thomas, and Noah Igbinoghene. Schneider is known for his knack for value deals, and the upcoming second wave of free agency might present some prime opportunities for him to capitalize on.
Losing Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals leaves a noticeable gap at defensive end. Currently, DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, and Uchenna Nwosu are the mainstays in that position. Given Mike Macdonald's preference for rotation, adding another player to the mix would be beneficial.
One potential under-the-radar signing for the Seahawks could be former Tennessee Titans EDGE Jihad Ward. Here's a fun fact: Ward logged the sixth-most snaps among all free-agent EDGEs in 2025, trailing only top-tier talents like Jaelan Phillips and Cameron Heyward.
Despite the Titans' struggles at EDGE, Ward excelled when given a larger role, recording six sacks and 47 pressures according to Pro Football Focus. His experience and production could be a valuable addition to the Seahawks' rotation.