Seahawks 2013 Free Agents: Alan Branch, Jason Jones headline a short list

I realized I never really put together a post that specifically deals with the Seahawks' free agents for this year so here we are. The list is fairly short and not super worrisome, and it's headlined by a couple of solid and regular contributors on the defensive line, DT Alan Branch, and DE/DT Jason Jones.

Both players were in Seattle on short-term 'prove it' style deals that each paid them $4M in 2012; Branch signed a two year, $8M deal back in 2011 and Jones a one-year deal for $4M, last summer. It's entirely unclear to me right now whether the Seahawks will try hard to retain either of these players, despite the fact they both logged significant snaps in '12.

I would guess the Hawks may make a play for DT Henry Melton or DE Michael Johnson, and also dip their foot into the water in with talks for Randy Starks, Sedrick Ellis, Frosty Rucker, Richard Seymour, Desmond Bryant, Matt Shaughnessy, Paul Kruger and/or Fili Moala, among many others, to shore up their thin defensive line ranks. Naturally, the Draft is fairly deep at defensive line too, so that's a major option as well.

The point being -- it doesn't seem likely that the Seahawks will break the bank for Branch or Jones, but would probably welcome either of them back with team-friendly or incentive based deals.

Seahawks Free Agents:

SS Branch, Alan DT
SS Hauschka, Steven P/K
SS Hill, Leroy LB
SS Jones, Jason DE
SS Morrah, Cameron TE
SS Omiyale, Frank OL
SS Trufant, Marcus CB

The kicker situation will have to get worked out, as I addressed here, with Steven Hauschka a restricted free agent. Past that, it's unlikely that Super Bowl XL veterans Leroy Hill and Marcus Trufant will be back. Seattle seems to like their depth and talent at the defensive back spot -- Trufant was probably forced into action more because of Walter Thurmond's inability to stay healthy -- though it's possible the team sees value in Tru as a backup in the slot and on the outside.

Frank Omiyale was a backup swing tackle and assuming Seattle drafts an offensive lineman this year, will not likely return. Obviously, Seattle will have him on speed dial if he's not picked up elsewhere, in case of injuries to key players.

Cameron Morrah is one to watch. The draft class and free agency group at TE is fairly deep this year, but if the Seahawks can't find a good fit anywhere, Morrah's may get a chance at a 'prove it' deal.