National Football League

Seahawks reach deal with Avril

Published Mar. 13, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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Days after acquiring one of the NFL’s most explosive wide receivers in Percy Harvin, the Seattle Seahawks have struck again with another major roster move.

Free-agent defensive end Cliff Avril has agreed to contract terms with the Seahawks. Financial terms weren’t immediately available.

The news was first reported by NFL Network.

Considered the most attractive 4-3 pass rusher on the market, the 26-year-old Avril spent his first five NFL seasons in Detroit. Avril has notched 29 sacks over the past three years.

The Seahawks finalized the deal with Avril shortly after losing free-agent defensive lineman Jason Jones to Detroit earlier in the day. Avril now joins an impressive Seahawks pass-rushing duo in Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons, although the latter is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in last season’s first-round playoff victory over Washington.

The Seahawks sent three draft picks, including a 2013 first-rounder and 2014 third-rounder, to Minnesota earlier this week to land Harvin. When healthy, Harvin has proven one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive threats. Harvin, though, had difficulties with Vikings brass and wanted a lucrative contract extension that the Seahawks were willing to provide.

The top ends remaining on the free agent market include Michael Bennett (Tampa Bay), Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis), John Abraham (Atlanta) and Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants).

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