The Seattle Seahawks may have lost to the Panthers in the playoffs, but they're still expected to be a Super Bowl contender again next year. Free agency is at the forefront of the minds of everyone in Seattle's front office as they try to fix a few weaknesses, but here are three players the Seahawks would be smart to avoid:
3) Greg Hardy, DE
Seattle struggled to get a consistent pass rush this season, so adding another rusher might be on a table for them - especially if they lose Bruce Irvin. However, someone like Hardy is obviously not the answer.
Hardy was good this year, but he wasn't great and failed to make a consistent impact. You could argue that he has rehabbed his value to the point where a cheap, incentive-based deal likely won't be good enough for Hardy, and Seattle shouldn't fork over a lot of money to land him.
2) Antonio Cromartie, CB
The Seahawks need to find a second cornerback they can pair with Richard Sherman, but Cromartie won't be that guy. He will be one of the more well-known names on the market, and though he is still under contract with the New York Jets, he's likely to be a cap causality. His deal will give him $8 million the next two years and $9 million in the final season, but the team can cut him with no dead money this offseason.
Why should Seattle avoid paying him that money? He'll turn 32 next year and is coming off a down season. The reasons the Jets are likely going to cut Cromartie are exactly why Seattle should avoid him. He's a big name, but Cromartie appears to be on the decline - plus he likely won't sign a short, team-friendly deal. Read more Seahawks news in the Chat Sports iPhone and Android apps.
1) Jermaine Kearse, WR
Kearse has spent his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks, but is a free agent who won't give them a discount. So, let him walk.
Seattle needs help at wide receiver, but Kearse isn't the long-term answer. He's not good enough to be a true No. 1 wideout (even though he's looking for that kind of money) and Seattle shouldn't overpay for another No. 2/No. 3 type. Make no mistake, Kearse's return would help Seattle, but they should save the money and invest it elsewhere. Spending their first rounder on a WR seems like the best option, or going after a true No. 1 guy like Alshon Jeffery.
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