PFT has learned, via a league source, that the Seahawks have signed defensive end Jaye Howard, a fourth-round pick, to a four-year contract.
Howard was one of two Seahawks picks yet to sign and his agreement leaves running back Robert Turbin as the only outlier. The Seahawks start their rookie minicamp on Friday, so it probably won’t be long before Turbin is under contract as well.
Howard played at Florida on a defense coordinated by Dan Quinn, who was the defensive line coach in Seattle during Pete Carroll’s first year as head coach. That could help him make a quicker transition to the Seattle system where he will likely be used as a pass rusher. His best attribute as a Gator was his ability to shoot gaps and get into the backfield and Howard wasn’t nearly as effective when he was unable to create separation from blockers.
The Seahawks have added a lot of depth on the defensive line this offseason by signing Jason Jones and drafting Howard and Bruce Irvin. Figuring out how everyone gets deployed should make for some interesting training camp decisions in Seattle.