Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters this weekend at rookie minicamp that the team still had work to do on their defensive line. Today, Seattle followed through by adding a couple more pieces to their interior rotation.
The team just announced that they have signed two new players: former Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. as well as nose tackle Forrest Merrill.
Edwards (6-foot-3, 280 pounds) is a former second-round draft pick who’s entering his ninth year in the NFL. He has played 99 regular season games between five teams, totaling 19.5 sacks and 46 QB hits. Edwards probably won’t be starting but he should be considered the next-guy-up behind projected starting defensive ends Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed.
Merrill (6-foot-1, 338 pounds) comes to Seattle by way of the Chargers, who he played four games for in 2021 – all on special teams. Before that, he played 28 games at Arkansas State, posting 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss.
Merrill joins a robust competition at the nose tackle position that includes three rookies. Until veteran Bryan Mone recovers from his ACL injury, our projected starter is fourth-round pick Cameron Young out of Mississippi State.
To make room for them on the 90-man roster, Seattle waived linebacker Michael Ayers and defensive end Jacob Sykes.
Update:
The Seahawks are also signing former Oregon and Seattle Sea Dragons defensive lineman Austin Faoliu, according to a report by Aaron Wilson.
