Shamar Stephen Signs With Seattle Seahawks

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Add another player to the list of former Vikings headed west to join the Seattle Seahawks. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Shamar Stephen signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks Saturday.

Friday, it was former Viking Tom Johnson who signed with Seattle. Both of the free agent defensive tackles agreed to terms on one-year contracts with the Seahawks.

Stephen, 27, was drafted by Minnesota in the seventh-round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Over the course of four seasons, he appeared in 52 games for the purple, starting 20 contests. In 2016 Stephen started all 16 games, registering a career-high 39 combined tackles. While he didn’t have much of an impact on the stat book (only recording one sack in four years), his run-stuffing abilities were prevalent.

In 2017, Stephen played nearly 40 percent of the defensive snaps. He was also on the field for roughly a third of the special teams snaps. His performance earned him a 72.4 Pro Football Focus grade last season, ranking 87th among interior defensive lineman. As expected, he graded much higher in run stop percentage than pass-rush productivity.

The Vikings and Seahawks essentially completed a 2-for-1 swap of defensive tackles in free agency. The Vikings signed former Seahawk Sheldon Richardson and the Seahawks acquired two former Vikings in Stephen and Johnson.

Currently comprising the Vikings’ DT depth chart are nose tackle Linval Joseph, three-technique Sheldon Richardson and second-year player Jaleel Johnson. Players that were on the practice squad last year who will compete for a roster spot this season include Caushaud Lyons and Dylan Bradley.

Following the departure of Stephen, the Vikings now have four in-house free agents that remain unsigned. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Marcus Sherels, as well as wide receiver Michael Floyd and running back Bishop Sankey. For a complete look at the Vikings 2018 free agency, check out the Tracker page by clicking the link here or at the top of the homepage.

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