Potential cap casualties at tackle that the Seahawks could explore in 2017

We’ve heard about trade candidates like Joe Thomas and Joe Staley, or upcoming free agents like Andrew Whitworth or Matt Kalil, but then there’s always the players who hit the market somewhat unexpectedly because they’ve become too expensive. Consider guards Josh Sitton or Evan Mathis in recent seasons.

On Wednesday, Jason Fitzgerald at OvertheCap detailed his top 10 potential cap casualties at tackle next offseason. There are familiar faces like Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini, and also perhaps a few names that will be discussed as potential future Seattle Seahawks.

The top name on the list is Ryan Clady. A four-time Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos, Clady missed all but two games in 2014 and all of 2015 (essentially he missed 30 of a possible 48 games) before being traded to the New York Jets. He didn’t play that great this season and is back on injured reserve. The Jets would save all of his $10.5 million salary by releasing him, which seems inevitable. The Seahawks may want to take advantage of the opportunity to sign a former elite tackle at a low cost with probably zero guarantee. That means that Seattle won’t be the only buyer, so perhaps Clady isn’t interested or gets a better offer elsewhere, but he’ll certainly come up in the discussion as he did earlier this year in trade talks after the Broncos saw him as expendable after signing Okung.

That’s the number two player on the list by the way.

Okung’s one-year non-guaranteed, four-year option contract probably won’t continue into next season. At least he got the most money possible in that one year. Okung hasn’t played spectacularly and Denver’s not likely to make him a top-paid left tackle so there’s a good chance he’ll become available again. With his familiarity in the offense and with the city, I think the reunion talk is bound to happen — and be legitimate — but now that he’s played a full season without injury, he may have priced himself out of the Seahawks range.

The number seven player on the list is Okung’s former tacklemate in Seattle, Breno Giacomini. He’s dealt with penalties and injuries all season for the Jets, so he’ll probably become available. There’s a history there with the Seahawks and he’s not going to be expensive, so would Giacomini be the answer at right tackle in 2017? He might be an option, but definitely not “the answer.”

Check out the rest of Jason’s list for more info and if you’d be interested in any of those guys.