This Underrated Edge Rusher Could Be the Steal Seattle's Defense Desperately Needs
The first wave of free agency just wrapped, and John Schneider made some tough calls. The Seahawks kept Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe despite the market going crazy for both of them, which is good news. But losing Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant, and Riq Woolen all at once? That's a lot to replace. Schneider held onto depth like Drake Thomas and Josh Jones while adding rotational guys like Emanuel Wilson, Rodney Thomas, and Noah Igbinoghene. Now comes the fun part: the second wave of free agency, where a sharp GM like Schneider can find actual value.
The Mafe Hole at Defensive End
Boye Mafe's gone to Cincinnati, and that leaves a real gap at edge rusher. Right now, DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, and Uchenna Nwosu are the main bodies on the roster at that spot. Mike Macdonald rotates guys constantly, so the Hawks could use another quality option there. Enter Jihad Ward, the former Tennessee Titans edge rusher who might be the most slept-on free agent still available. Seriously, think about this: among all the available edge rushers heading into free agency, Ward played the sixth-most snaps in 2025. He was only behind Jaelan Phillips, Jalen Redmond, Dre'Mont Jones, Cameron Heyward, and Danielle Hunter. Those are heavy hitters, and Ward was right there with them.
Six Sacks and 47 Pressures Tell the Real Story
The Titans weren't great at edge defense, which forced Ward into a massive workload. And you know what? He crushed it. Pro Football Focus credited Ward with six sacks and 47 pressures. That's the kind of production Seattle needs, especially coming off the bench in a rotational role. Ward's the kind of move Schneider makes work: an experienced vet who got his shot somewhere else, thrived, and now could slide into Seattle's defense without breaking the bank. If the Hawks can get this done in round two, it might be one of the quietest, smartest pickups of the offseason.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.