Seahawks Sign Linebacker Barkevious Mingo

The Seahawks made their first unrestricted free agent signing on Tuesday evening in the shape of Barkevious Mingo, an outside linebacker from the Colts.

Mingo is listed as 6ft 4in and weighs 239 pounds. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (6th overall) in the 2013 draft. We know how John Schneider and Pete Carroll love the first round from 2013!

He played three seasons with the Browns before being traded to New England just before the 2016 season (which got him a ring!). The Patriots didn’t end up resigning him and was later picked up by the Colts where he played in all 16 games and started in 6. He managed 47 tackles, two pass deflections and two sacks on the year.

Now, he has become a Seattle Seahawk. But how will they use him?

I suspect he will serve in a Bruce Irvin type role, setting the edge, getting involved in coverage as well as situational pass rushing.

It’s worth noting he is also well above average in pass coverage, he managed the second highest grade out of all edge players last season, something that I’m sure will get him on the field more often in Seattle. One thing is for sure, he is almost guaranteed to be an upgrade to the linebacker group that was (and still is) in desperate need of an upgrade behind the starters.

Having the likes of Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright as well as new defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr (who specialises in linebackers) may well release the potential that up until this point, Mingo hasn’t really managed to show on the field.

In terms of the financials, his deal is 2 years $6,800,000 with a $2,200,000 signing bonus and $3,200,000 guaranteed at signing. His cap hit in 2018 sits at $2,400,000 and $4,400,000 in 2019. Even if he is ‘average’ the contract would provide half decent value, however the way it’s structured if he over performs he can earn more in the likes of Pro Bowl incentives so it’s really a win/win and a solid first signing for the team.