Five Seahawks make ESPN’s list of top 100 free agents of 2021 offseason

We are one week from the official start of NFL free agency, which figures to be one hell of a frenzy given the reduced salary cap has prompted a lot of shuffling about across the league. Expect many more free agents to surface by virtue of being cap casualties over the coming days.

ESPN compiled a (paywalled) list of the top 100 free agents (all unrestricted) entering next Wednesday, and there are several Seattle Seahawks — rather, Seahawks who were on the 2020 roster — who are featured. The highest ranked Seahawks UFA is none other than Shaquill Griffin, who comes in not just at #20 but as the 2nd highest ranked outside cornerback.

Griffin intercepted a career-high three passes in 2020, his fourth season as a starter in Seattle. Regardless of his interception numbers, though, he has consistently been around the ball. ESPN Stats & Information has credited him with 39 pass breakups — passes that he either defended, tipped or batted down. That tied him for the 14th most in the NFL over the past four seasons.

Quinton Dunbar, who barely played in his lone season with the Seahawks, ranked 58th. The recently cut Carlos Dunlap ranks 62nd and just behind Los Angeles Rams defensive back Troy Hill. K.J. Wright clocked in at 65th and a lot of it has to do with his age and certainly not his play on the field, which has been stellar. Chris Carson is the lowest-ranked Seahawk at 92nd, and yes his injury history was mentioned indirectly. Keep in mind only five running backs made the list and other than #8 ranked Aaron Jones, everyone else was in the bottom 25 of the overall players list.

Topping the top 100 is San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, followed by Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry.