Mike Daniels released by Green Bay as Seahawks explore Jarran Reed replacements

A new defensive tackle is on the market, and it’s someone the Seattle Seahawks should consider pursuing given the six-game suspension of Jarran Reed. The Green Bay Packers’ release of 30-year-old Mike Daniels , as reported by Mike Garafolo on Wednesday morning, is surprising. Even with the Pack saving $8.1million against their cap, this move shocks given the all-round talents of Daniels and the control the team has on players like Kenny Clark (signed through 2019 and 2020).

Daniels, a one-time pro bowler (2017), is one of the most underrated players in the league. His quickness on the inside of the Green Bay line has seen him be a consistently disruptive presence—against the run and the pass. The Seahawks organization will be well aware of that since Daniels always seemed to wreck Seattle’s o-line.

Assuming there isn’t more to the story of Daniels’ release and that he is fully recovered from the foot injury that ended his 2018, the Seahawks should definitely be interested. Projecting Daniels’ fit into Pete Carroll’s defense is easy. On early downs, the 310 pounder could plug-and-play at either defensive tackle alignment; 1 tech or 3-tech. On more obvious passing downs, Daniels has the pass rush repertoire to kick further outside to defensive end.

Garafolo shattered such visions of Daniels in Seahawks blue with a follow up tweet. Seattle has, and will, favor taller defensive tackles and Daniels’ height, at 6ft0, may have been off-putting to the Front Office. The Seahawks are also in a tricky situation with Free Agents. Though they have cap room, Bobby Wagner is going to receive a large extension and Reed himself may still get paid. Seattle will never be the highest bidder anyway. And, if Daniels opts for a one-year“prove it” deal, teams like the Cleveland Browns look more attractive—even if the Seahawks might mean more playing time.

Garafolo’s tweet did suggest that John Schneider is up to something though. The recent Reed news has made the need for pass-rush even more desperate. Seattle’s depth at defensive tackle also looks mighty thin; it’s certainly grossly unproven.

There are still some unsigned free agents who could do a job for the Seahawks.

Muhammed Wilkerson is the biggest name on the list. His behavior saw him out of the New York Jets before the 29-year-old missed most of his one year in Green Bay after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in Week 3. The 6’4”, 315 lb has—or maybe had—a skillset that translates to Seattle.

Corey Liuget will be very familiar with the Seahawks’ scheme and defensive front calls, as the 29-year old played under Gus Bradley for the Los Angeles Chargers. While Wilkerson would start as a 3-technique and kick out to 5-technique, the 6’2”, 300lb Liuget would predominantly stay inside. He missed the first four games of 2018 with a PED violation and then was placed on IR after suffering a torn quad tendon in week 11. The Bolts declined his 2019 option.

Tom Johnson, now 35-years-old, might finally decide to stay in Seattle rather than deciding to go back to Minnesota after the Seahawks failed in their “cut-and-then-sign” plan when roster space got tight early in 2018.

Ahtyba Rubin is now 32 and there have been rumors of interest.

Seattle could also have a trade planned—especially since compensatory picks can now be traded. Schneider has managed to accumulate significant draft capital following the Frank Clark trade and various comp picks. Next year in Indianapolis, the Seahawks should have: 1; 2, 2 (Frank Clark); 3, 3 (Earl Thomas); 4, 4 (Justin Coleman); 5; 6 (Shamar Stephen); 7 (Mike Davis).

Could the General Manager once more swing for the fences and go get LEO-type Yannick Ngakoue to improve the pass rush?

Whatever the move is, expect it to be concluded quickly. Garafolo’s tweet suggests fast action and Seattle will want their new player to participate in as much of training camp as possible.