Mark

LeGree

LeGree was a fifth-round pick by Seattle out of Appalachian State. Beeler was Jim Harbaugh’s center at Stanford. Reuland is blocking-challenged tight end. Nelms is not the son of former Redskins return specialist Mike Nelms.

LB Ronnie Thornton was waived in a corresponding move. A 2011 undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State, LeGree was waived by the 49ers last Sunday. He seems unlikely to make it past first cuts in Chicago.

In a corresponding move, they signed LB Kenny Rowe to a two-year deal. LeGree was picked in the fifth round of the 2011 draft by Seattle, but didn’t last long. He signed a reserve/futures deal with San Francisco in January.

Legree was a fifth-round pick by the Seahawks in 2011. He takes the roster spot vacated by safety Mana Silva, who left the team on Tuesday.

With the exception of the playoff loss to the Bears, “Big Play Babs” held his own as a third safety last season. Beat writer Eric Williams cites the past two drafts with Kam Chancellor and Mark LeGree as reason enough for the Seahawks to part ways.

An FCS All-American and three-year starter, Legree is fundamentally sound with impressive size, ball skills, and instincts. No prospect available for the 2011 draft had more career interceptions than LeGree’s 22. He would have gone a couple rounds higher if he didn’t lack elite speed and the ability to stick with receivers one-on-one. LeGree will start out on special teams while adding valuable depth in the Seahawks’ defensive backfield.

LeGree was one of the top ball-hawking defensive backs available for April’s draft, picking off an incredible 22 passes in his college career -- easily the most of any player selected. He had so-so workout numbers and comes from Appalachian State, causing him to slip down some boards. Still, LeGree could make a run at a starting job as soon as this season with a big camp.