Seahawks Sign Disruptive 23-Year-Old in Coach Mike Macdonald’s 1st Move.

The Seattle Seahawks signed cornerback Lance Boykin to a Reserve/Future contract, marking the team’s first action under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Although he was on the Seahawks practice squad the previous season, the 23-year-old defender only appeared in one game.

Defensive back Lance Boykin was the first player the Seahawks signed to a reserve-future contract after hiring new coach Mike Macdonald, according to a February 1, 2024 message on X from KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.

Not surprisingly, given that he led the Baltimore Ravens to become the top-ranked NFL team in 2023, Macdonald’s first action is on defense. The Seahawks defense gave up 23.6 points per game, while the Ravens allowed a league-high 16.2 points per game.

Boykin could be a sleeper to watch under Macdonald but will still be fighting for a roster spot in training camp. A Reserve/Future deal allows the Seahawks to retain Boykin’s rights and prevents him from negotiating with other teams.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound corner went undrafted in 2023 coming out of Coastal Carolina. Heading into the draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Boykin as a “cornerback with the size and length to disrupt the catch point.”

“Long-legged, linear cornerback with the size and length to disrupt the catch point, but he lacks the athletic fluidity and short-area twitch to get there on time,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile of the corner. “Boykin will struggle to stay connected with NFL route runners as a man defender and lacks the desired long speed to prevent burners from flying by him.

While re-signing Boykin is a start, Seattle will need to make bigger moves this offseason to improve the team’s roster. All eyes will be on free agency with several key members of the Ravens defense being available.

Could Macdonald lure some of his former Baltimore defenders to the Seahawks to help rebuild the team’s unit? Some of the Ravens free agents include linebacker Patrick Queen, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

Macdonald is not eager to overhaul everything former head coach Pete Carroll built in Seattle. The new Seahawks coach wants to advance the current culture while emphasizing “chasing edges” with the players.

“I don’t think you fix what’s not broken,” Macdonald said during a February 1, 2024 interview with Seattle Sports’ “Bump and Stacy.” “I’m interested to hear more from the players and the people in the building as we get moving. But our culture is built on respect.