Grading Seattle Seahawks Signing Cliff Avril

The Seattle Seahawks aren't playing around.

A few days after the team made the blockbuster trade that netted them wide receiver Percy Harvin, the team bolstered itself further by adding one of this year's top defensive free agents.

As Dan Hanzus of NFL.com reports, defensive end Cliff Avril and the Seahawks have agreed to terms on a two-year, $15 million contract.

Let's examine how the Avril signing impacts Seattle's chances of unseating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.

Fit: Avril Fills a Need

The Seattle Seahawks weren't planning on defensive end being a big area of need in 2013.

Of course, in the NFL things rarely go according to plan.

After Chris Clemons tore his ACL in the playoffs last year, the Seahawks defensive front was suddenly thrown into turmoil, especially since the lateness of Clemons' injury leaves his availability for the start of this season very much in doubt.

The acquisition of Cliff Avril eliminates much of that uncertainty, and once Clemons returns he, Avril and youngster Bruce Irvin will represent an imposing trio of pass-rushers.

Grade: A

Talent: A Pass-Rusher in His Prime

Defensive end is a premium position in the National Football League and any time you can acquire one in his prime, that's at least worth exploring.

Avril is just such a player.

The 26-year-old Avril has been a steady producer for the Detroit Lions over the past three years, racking up almost 10 sacks a season and forcing nine fumbles.

However, Avril didn't have a great 2012 season, ranking 55th among defensive ends, according to Pro Football Focus and faring especially poorly in run defense.

Grade: B

Price: Something of a Bargain

After playing under the franchise tag in 2012, Cliff Avril entered this offseason looking for a big payday.

It appears he's still looking.

Paul Kruger's five-year, $41 million contract with the Cleveland Browns set the market for pass-rushers a bit lower than had been expected, and that ended up working out very well for Seattle.

Granted, $7.5 million a season certainly isn't small potatoes, but it's also not overspending by any stretch, and the fact that it's only a two-year deal minimizes the chances of it blowing up in the Seahawks' faces.

Well played.

Grade: A

Risk: Most of It's Mitigated

After tallying double-digit sacks and forcing six fumbles in 2011 the Detroit Lions franchise tagged Cliff Avril, essentially giving him a one-year "prove it" deal.

After a disappointing 2012 campaign Avril's now out of Detroit, leaving some to question whether he's an up-and-coming player or yet another talented pro for whom production will never equal potential.

Either way, it's not a bad deal for the Seahawks.

If things work out and Avril has a big year, Seattle can lock him up on a longer-term contract while it still has exclusive negotiating rights.

If Avril flops, then it's only a two-year deal, and the Seahawks can move on without being saddled by a ton of "dead" money.

Once again, well played.

Grade: A-

Overall Grade: A Shrewd Move

The Seattle Seahawks obviously aren't comfortable resting on the laurels of their 11-win 2012 season.

Not only has the team added an explosive element to their offense by trading for Harvin, but the team then matched that play on the defensive side of the ball by picking up Avril.

The team hedged their bets, both against Clemons' injury with the pickup itself and Avril's play with the length of the deal.

Add in a relatively modest price tag, and it's been a good week to be a football fan in the Pacific Northwest.

Grade: A