Seahawks Upgrade Secondary Depth, Sign Veteran DB Shemar Jean-Charles

Green Bay Packers cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles looks to make a tackle during a regular season game against the Washington Commanders.

Seeking depth both in the secondary as well as on special teams with multiple defensive backs becoming free agents on Wednesday, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with veteran cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles.

Contract details have yet to be revealed, but Jean-Charles likely will come on board on a one-year deal with a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Seahawks this summer following the exit of cornerback Tre Brown, who signed with the 49ers last week.

Selected originally by the Packers as a fifth-round pick out of Appalachian State, Jean-Charles saw limited action on defense in his first three NFL seasons, logging a grand total of 51 snaps in Green Bay, San Francisco, and New Orleans. During that time, according to Pro Football Focus charting, he produced three tackles and allowed eight receptions on eight targets for 84 yards, primarily contributing on kick and punt coverage teams with 12 combined special teams stops.

Returning to the Saints last season, Jean-Charles opened his fourth year on the practice squad, eventually being promoted back to the active roster on November 2. He suited up for the final eight games of the season, including making a pair of starts at cornerback, recording 10 tackles, his first career interception, and a pass breakup along with allowing a touchdown in coverage. He added four combined tackles on special teams as well.

While his 5-10, 184-pound frame would suggest Jean-Charles has been relegated to slot cornerback duty, the fifth-year veteran has actually played most of his 194 NFL defensive snaps on the boundary (138) with limited action playing inside. Prior to being drafted by the Packers, he spent most of his time with the Mountaineers at the college level on the outside as well, playing 1,602 snaps on the boundary in comparison to a mere 32 snaps playing in the nickel role.

Keeping that in mind, though Seattle might consider kicking Jean-Charles inside full time, he offers a similar body type to Brown, who played exclusively at the outside spots in his four seasons with the franchise. With Devon Witherspoon set to see the bulk of snaps in the slot and both Brown and Artie Burns potentially not returning, his best shot to compete for a roster spot may be on the outside against second-year defender Nehemiah Pritchett and a likely incoming rookie.

Ultimately, Jean-Charles’ best path to sticking with the Seahawks will remain on special teams, where the team will have to replace the lost production of several players who departed in free agency or will be taking on bigger roles on offense or defense such as receivers Jake Bobo and Dareke Young. If he’s able to consistently make plays on kick and punt coverage come training camp and the preseason, he has a good chance at carving out a role on the 53.