We’ll be breaking down all the major and minor moves for NFL Free Agency with grades and analysis. You can find the comprehensive list of moves and grades here.
Reported deal: One year/$6 million
Outside of New England, there hasn’t been much movement in the tight end market. The Patriots gave out two massive deals, but we’re already at the one-year deal portion. That leaves some potential bargains and the Seattle Seahawks got one with the signing of Gerald Everett away from the Los Angeles Rams.
Everett has been a role player in the Rams offense who topped out with 417 receiving yards in 2020 while Tyler Higbee got an extension and a bigger role. But Everett has athletic upside and he’ll be paired with new Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldon, who was the Rams’ passing game coordinator.
59% of Everett’s receiving yards in 2020 came after the catch. He could potentially be the middle-of-the-field safety outlet the Seahawks didn’t really have in the offense that showed up through the second half of the season when defenses started to take away the deep sidelines.
Everett could also be moved around the formation and used in non-traditional ways. He has at least one rushing attempt in each of his career seasons and he has lined up in the backfield. That led to a 40-yard gain against Washington in Week 5 of 2020.
Jonnu Smith doesn’t offer so much more than Everett that there should be such a big difference between the contracts they received this offseason.
Grade: B+
