Seahawks get busy signing undrafted rookies, starting with UW TE Jack Westover

RENTON — The minute that the NFL draft ends, teams scramble to fill out their rosters with undrafted free agents.

The Seahawks had 16 open spots on their 90-man roster following the draft and will be hoping to find some diamonds in the rough along the likes of Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Michael Bennett, all players initially signed by the team as undrafted free agents.

Teams are given a budget of $183,103 to hand out to UDFAs in bonuses, and teams can also guarantee some of a player’s 2024 salary as an inducement to sign. The higher the bonus and guarantee usually indicates the better chance a player might have to make the team, or at the least, be considered as a probability for the 16-man practice squad during the regular season.

Here’s a look at some of the players whom the Seahawks have reportedly signed.

Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose State — After not drafting a QB, the Seahawks had to add one somehow to give them a third on the roster. And for now, that’s Cordeiro, whose signing was first reported by NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. Cordeiro, listed at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds is the career leader in the Mountain West Conference in total yards (13,811) and completions in a career that also included four seasons at Hawaii in his native Honolulu. He is also fourth in touchdown passes (88) and third in passing yards (12,191). He also ran for 273 yards and three TDs last season.

Running back George Holani, Boise State — There was no secret of the Seahawks’ interest in Holani, as they had him in for a pre-draft 30 visit. According to the NFL Network, they are signing him to a deal that includes a $15,000 signing bonus and $100K base salary guarantee.

Tight end Jack Westover, Washington — The former Husky and Mount Si High grad will stay in his hometown, according to a report from the NFL Network. Westover attended the NFL scouting combine but was unable to take part in drills because of a hand injury. According to a report from NFL reporter Aaron Wilson for KPRC2 in Houston, Westover got a deal that includes a $25,000 signing bonus and $50,000 of his salary guaranteed, for a total of $75,000 guaranteed. Westover will now battle with AJ Barner of Michigan, taken by Seattle in the fourth round Saturday, for a spot on the roster behind veterans Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown.

Defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser, Houston — The signing of Ceaser was also reported by the NFL Network. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Ceaser attended the Senior Bowl and the combine after leading the Big 12 in sacks in 2023 with 9.5. Via Wilson. Ceaser’s deal includes $10,000 signing bonus with $100,000 of his salary guaranteed for $110,000 total guaranteed.

Linebacker Easton Gibbs, Wyoming — Gibbs’ signing was reported by his agency, Summit Athletes. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound played primarily weak side linebacker at Wyoming and had 109 tackles and two sacks last season. According to Wilson, Gibbs signed a deal that includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $20,000 of base salary guaranteed for $40,000 in total guarantees.

Offensive tackle Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State — Greenfield signed a deal that includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $195,000 total guaranteed, according to the NFL Network. He is listed at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds. He started 15 games at left tackle last season after starting 14 the year before at right tackle for a team that won the FCS title.

Cornerback Ro Torrence, Arizona State — The NFL Network first reported the signing of the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Torrence, who is a native of Bessemer, Ala. NFL.com’s scouting report called Torrence a “long-limbed press corner with physical attributes certain teams are sure to covet. Torrence is a menace from press, where he crouches and jabs the release with relative consistency. He has the tools to smother simple routes but gives away separation at sharper break points. He will be at his best working with limited coverage focus in press-man, but his execution as a tackler is a concern.”

Center Mike Novitsky, Kansas — Kansas confirmed that Novitsky had signed with Seattle. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder began his career at Buffalo before transferring and becoming a three-year starter for the Jayhawks.

Edge Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State — The school’s social media reported that Anderson has signed with Seattle. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder had 12 sacks over the last two seasons. According to Wilson, Anderson also got a $10,000 bonus and $100,000 in base salary guaranteed.

Defensive tackle Devere Levelston, SMU — Several outlets reported the signing of Levelston, a 6-foot-5, 290-pounder who had 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Running back TaMerik Williams, North Dakota State — The 6-foot-1, 227-pounder from Arlington, Texas, led the Bison with 767 yards averaging 6.2 per carry in 2023. His signing was first reported by Wilson.

Receiver Hayden Hatten, Idaho — Hatten’s signing was reported by ESPN and the school. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Scottsdale, Ariz., had 93 receptions for 1,231 yards and nine touchdowns last season and finished his Idaho career with a school-record 33 receiving TDs.

Cornerback Carlton Johnson, Fresno State — Draft Diamonds reported that Johnson “is headed” to Seattle, apparently meaning he’s signing as a UDFA. The 5-foot-11, 173-pounder was unable to participate at the combine but ran a 4.28 40 at Fresno State’s Pro Day in March and was listed as the third best cornerback who was left undrafted by NFL.com. Johnson had a pre-draft 30 visits to the Seahawks.

Defensive lineman Rason Williams II, Louisiana Tech — Wilson also reported the signing of Williams. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder had 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season after transferring from Stephen F. Austin.

Defensive lineman Jay Kakiva, San Jose State — Kakiva’s apparent signing as a UDFA was announced by San Jose State on Sunday. The 6-foot-4, 307-pounder has been listed as weighing as much as 325 pounds in his career and has played regularly at nose tackle. He had 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2023. UPDATE — Turns out, as reported by ESPN, that Kakiva did not sign a contract with the Seahawks but is instead attending mini-camp as a tryout player.