The Seattle Seahawks endured a significant down-year in 2021, failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and just the third time in the Pete Carroll era. The Seahawks' 7-10 record was their worst since Carroll took over the head coaching role in 2010. Despite some questions about Carroll's job security, the Seahawks look poised to start the 2022 season with the 70-year-old back as head coach. In order to avoid missing the playoffs again in 2022, the Seahawks will look to make some significant additions via free agency. The team was atrocious defensively in 2021, though considering the lack of talent on the roster their struggles didn't come as too much of a surprise. Still, Seattle certainly needs to address some areas on defense, and could still stand to make improvements on offense, too. With that in mind, here are a few players the Seahawks should be targeting early on in the 2022 NFL offseason, when they'll have among the most cap space in the league.

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Seahawks Free Agent Targets for 2022 NFL Offseason

3. David Njoku, Tight End

David Njoku once looked like a promising tight end for the Cleveland Browns, but his role has evaporated over the past few seasons. Following a sophomore season that saw Njoku grab 56 receptions for 639 yards, the tight end looked to be emerging as a real game-changer. That never materialized, however, as injury limited him to just four games the following year and he's taken a back seat to the likes of Austin Hooper in 2021. With free agency looming for Njoku, the 25-year-old will likely be looking to land in a new situation where he stands to get more looks on offense.

The Seahawks have a glaring need at tight end, especially if Gerald Everett elects to sign elsewhere in free agency. Njoku could step into Seattle's offense and become the difference-maker fans were expecting him to be in Cleveland, all the while playing with vastly improved quarterback play alongside Russell Wilson as opposed to Baker Mayfield. Getting a reliable big body on the offense to serve as both a strong blocker and solid pass-catcher could help open up the rest of Seattle's offense in 2022.

2. Patrick Peterson, Cornerback

The Seahawks defense was one of the worst units in the NFL in 2021, so they'll need to make some serious adjustments and improvements in order to be competitive in 2022. With their defense surrendering nearly 400 yards per game in 2021, the entire unit is in need of an overhaul. Addressing the cornerback position would be a solid starting point for the Seahawks, though there will be much more work to be done.

Patrick Peterson could represent an ideal free-agency target for the Seahawks. The former Cardinals and Vikings defensive back has been one of the top corners in football for most of his career and just wrapped up a solid campaign with the Vikings. Having veteran leadership and experience in the secondary could prove invaluable, especially for a team that failed to do virtually anything against the pass last year. With Jamal Adams serving as more of a linebacker hybrid than a true safety, the Seahawks could look to Peterson to help shore up the secondary and help provide coverage on opposing teams' top options.

1. Emmanuel Ogbah, EDGE

Emmanuel Ogbah is coming off a solid season for the Miami Dolphins. It was the veteran's second consecutive season with exactly 9.0 sacks, and he was even effective in pass coverage, recording a remarkable 12 pass defenses. Ogbah will be 29 in 2022, still in the prime of his career, and he could prove to be a valuable addition for the Seahawks as they look to buff up the defensive line.

The Seahawks averaged just two sacks per game this year, so the addition of Ogbah could help them become a more competitive unit in the trenches, while also providing some much-needed experience and leadership to the Seahawks defense. Ogbah isn't the most flashy of additions, but he could likely be had at a decent price, and will certainly be disruptive along the front lines for the Seahawks.