The Seattle Seahawks have a lot to look forward to this season, but like any team, there's still room for improvement.
Teams are putting the finishing touches on their roster before training camp kicks off at the end of the month, and perhaps the Seahawks could get in on the fun as well. What position the Seahawks should target is up for debate, but to one analyst, the answer is clear.
Seattle Sports' Michael Bumpus, who briefly played receiver for the Seahawks in 2008, believes that the team's lack of linebacker depth is "a real concern." Bobby Wagner is an accomplished star and newcomer Devin Bush has some upside, but the depth behind them isn't great with Jordyn Brooks still nursing an ACL injury.
To Bumpus, the solution to these woes is clear. He believes the Seahawks should target free-agent linebacker Jaylon Smith, a former Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys.
“What I need is a guy to be a depth piece who’s been there who’s done that,” Bumpus said on the Bump and Stacy Podcast. “And there’s a man by the name of Jaylon Smith who is a free agent right now.
Smith's career has been a fascinating one to follow. Coming out of Notre Dame, he was widely seen as one of the best prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, but unfortunately tore his ACL in his final collegiate game. The Cowboys selected him in the second round, even knowing that he would miss his entire rookie season rehabbing from the injury.
“You don’t need him to come in and be a starter right now," Bumpus said. "You need him to bring that veteran presence, you need him to be a solid backup, you need him to contribute on special teams, and he’s (not going to cost much). . . . You’ve got to take a look at Jaylon Smith.”
After returning from injury, Smith became a strong part of Dallas' defense, recording at least 120 tackles in three straight seasons and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. In 2021, though, the Cowboys released Smith over an injury clause in his contract. He then had a very brief stop with the Green Bay Packers, playing just two games before being released again.
Most recently, Smith spent the last season and change with the New York Giants. After initially being signed to their practice squad, he earned his way onto the active roster in short time. Last season, Smith played 13 games and recorded 88 tackles, the second-most on the team behind safety Julian Love, who coincidentally joined the Seahawks this offseason.
The Seahawks don't have much cap space, but with over $8 million available, they could theoretically sign Smith to a cheap deal. Whether or not they truly want to is a different question entirely, but the option is certainly there.
You can find Jonathan Alfano on Twitter @JonAlfano_News
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