Seahawks sign DT Martin Parker, release TE Michael Palmer

The Seahawks have signed free agent defensive tackle Martin Parker. They released TE Michael Palmer to make room for Parker on the 90-man roster. Parker is a guy that got the invite to Seattle's rookie mini-camp back in early May, and though the Hawks didn't sign him at that time, they apparently kept his number handy.

I wrote about Parker after the 2011 Draft as a possible UDFA target for Seattle, and noted then that at 6'2, 303, he's an athletic (4.92 40) high-motor, quick off the snap 3-tech with an 80 inch wingspan that could come in as versatile depth and has the potential to develop into a starting caliber defensive linemen. Parker was a First Team All American for Richmond his senior year and earned First Team All-Conferance honors each of his four seasons at school. He had 96 tackles, 5.5 sacks in 2010 and 13.5 tackles for a loss. He was also named the MVP of the 2011 East-West Shrine Game with a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.

Parker's primary position would be the undertackle spot, but he has experience at DE and the NT spot too. Just in watching some of Seattle's training camp practices, it's becoming somewhat clear that this team wants guys that can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4 - so versatility is king as they switch from 43 to 34 looks seamlessly. Parker could theoretically play the 5T end in a 4-3 or 3-4, 3-technique in a 4-3, or the NT in a 4-3, so it'll be interesting to see what they have in mind for him. Parker actually reminds me a bit of both Jaye Howard and Michael Brooks as undersized but above-average in quicks/agility, so it would appear Seattle has a type.

Draft scout Tom Melton interviewed him before the East-West Shrine game and Parker touched on his ability to play at basically any position on the line.

"I can play wherever any team wants me to play. I know a lot of people say that because they think that it will help them sound good, but I've played DE, 3 tech, nose guard, 3-4 DE and I've been successful at all of those positions in my four years at Richmond. If a team drafts me and wants me to go play 3-4 DE then I will go out there and I promise you I will be one of the best players out there. I've been playing 3 technique for four years at Richmond, so I know I can hold my own at that position."

You can see his Combine workout here. Parker was previously with the Giants.