How Will Roy Robertson-Harris Help Seahawks' Defensive Line?

Set to make the long trek from London to Seattle, Roy Robertson-Harris brings a familiar skill set with his own style to the Seahawks' defensive line.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (95) makes a hit on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) during late fourth quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, October 15, 2023. The Jaguars ended the first half with a 21 to 6 lead and won with a final score of 37 to 20.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (95) makes a hit on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) during late fourth quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, October 15, 2023. The Jaguars ended the first half with a 21 to 6 lead and won with a final score of 37 to 20. / Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Though the NFL trade deadline remains 22 days away, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider opted to kick off the festivities a few weeks early by bolstering the defensive line with the acquisition of veteran defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris.

As reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and confirmed by a team source, Seattle will send a 2026 sixth-round pick to Jacksonville for Robertson-Harris, an eighth-year veteran who remains under contract through 2026 after signing an extension in February 2023. His cap hit will be under $3 million for the remainder of the season, but jump significantly to $8.9 million in 2025.

Now in his eighth NFL season after going undrafted out of UTEP, though he only has 19 career sacks on his resume, Robertson-Harris has been a consistent disruptor as a pass rusher. In each of the past three seasons, per Pro Football Focus charting, he has surpassed 32 pressures, and he's currently on pace to reach that number again despite starting only two of the Jaguars first three games.

With 49 career starts under his belt, Robertson-Harris has played numerous positions during his time in Chicago and Jacksonville, offering the positional flexibility Seattle prefers in the trenches. In addition, he was previously a captain for the Jaguars and brings a quality locker room presence with him to the Pacific Northwest.

Why did the Seahawks deal for Robertson-Harris? And how does he fit in coach Mike Macdonald's defense alongside the likes of Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, and Byron Murphy II? Check out my in-depth profile of the versatile defender in the video above.


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Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.