Seahawks sign CB Phillip Adams

The Seahawks have signed free agent cornerback Phillip Adams on a reported one-year deal.

Adams was a seventh round pick by the Niners in 2010 but was waived before the 2011 season. He had a short stint with the Patriots before getting picked up by Seattle. He was with the Seahawks during the 2011 season before being waived at final roster cutdowns during the 2012 preseason. He was claimed by the Raiders and appeared in 31 of 32 games for them over the past two seasons, including four starts. He's still only 25 years old and has the advantage of knowing Pete Carroll, Rocky Seto, and the Seahawks' system from his experience here in 2011/2012, and from what I understand, the team has always been high on his abilities.

Adams brings versatility to play inside in the slot or outside at corner, and he's an experienced punt returner at the NFL level. According to ProFootballFocus' grading system, he struggled mightily down the stretch last season as he saw significant snaps for the Raiders (304 over the final seven weeks), but he did grade out very well over the 2nd half of the 2012 season in Oakland. He played significant snaps for New England during Weeks 8 through 12 in 2011 as well, grading out evenly, so he does have quite a bit of game experience in his career. It will be very interesting to see him in Seattle's system again, though, because they've earned the reputation for their ability to develop and coach players up at the defensive back position.

After losing Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond in free agency, Seattle looks to re-stock the shelves a bit in terms of depth. Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell project as the starters on the outside, with Jeremy Lane expected to play the slot. Akeem Auguste generated some buzz last year as a practice squad player, and the Hawks have developmental players like Chandler Fenner and Tharold Simon to look at this summer. Backup safety Deshawn Shead, who saw action in the Super Bowl, also has experience at corner, and the Draft looks fairly deep this year at the position as well. Seattle has drafted at least one corner every season since Pete Carroll and John Schneider took over.

Adams becomes the third outside unrestricted free agent to be signed by the Seahawks this offseason, joining OL Stephen Schilling and WR Taylor Price. All three are depth/developmental and should have to fight their way onto the roster during OTAs and Training Camp.