The beginning of the Seattle Seahawks’ 2021 season has been nothing short of frustrating. The team recently lost Russell Wilson to a finger injury that will sideline him for several weeks, forcing Geno Smith into a starting role. Meanwhile, the defense has struggled and Chris Carson is on injured reserve. Now sitting at 2-5, the Seahawks have plenty of work ahead of them. The upcoming trade deadline is a perfect opportunity for Seattle to improve its roster and resolve glaring weaknesses.
The Seahawks’ Current Status
Current Record: 2-5
Division Standings: Fourth in the NFC West
In the Playoff Picture: No
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
Current NFL Draft Slot: Seventh overall
Potential Trade #1: 2022 fourth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Jamison Crowder
Although an offseason contract dispute between Crowder and the Jets was resolved, the talented slot receiver still isn’t a perfect fit in an offense that is focused on getting younger. With New York likely planning to sell at the deadline, Crowder is on the market. He would make an intriguing option for the Seahawks, who would certainly be open to bolstering their already strong receiving corps.
The 28-year-old has appeared in just 15 games since the start of the 2020 season, catching 74 passes for 818 yards and seven touchdowns. He would give Smith another reliable pass-catching option to make his life easier while also offering an additional game-changing weapon upon Wilson’s return. The only caveat here is that Seattle will likely have to overpay for Crowder considering the state of the market and the history of teams spending up to acquire receivers. (Don’t forget that the Patriots once parted with a second-rounder for Mohamed Sanu.)
Potential Trade #2: 2022 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for James Pierre and a 2022 seventh-round pick
Seattle’s secondary has struggled this season, offering a stark contrast from the state of the unit less than a decade ago. Acquiring a cheap, young, and reliable cornerback is imperative for the Seahawks in order to improve their defense. While the Steelers will never admit to selling, they’re the worst team in the NFL and are not heading in the right direction. Acquiring draft picks and re-organizing their roster could be at the top of their agenda throughout the next week.
Pierre is an intriguing player considering he is young. Just 25 years old, the Florida Atlantic product and cousin of star quarterback Lamar Jackson has started two of six games in 2021. His last start came in Week 5, but he returned to a depth role when Cameron Sutton was healthy again in Week 6. So far, he has defended four passes, forced a fumble, and picked off a pass this season. He is also responsible for 26 tackles. Pierre (or any cornerback of a similar nature) certainly represents a top target for Seattle.
Potential Trade #3: Rashaad Penny, L.J. Collier, and a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2022 third-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round pick
Collier, a first-round pick in 2019, has appeared in just two games this season. He missed the other five contests as a healthy scratch. At this point, it seems inevitable that the Seahawks will move on from the pass-rusher in the coming days. His best year was 2020, and even then, he racked up just three sacks and 22 tackles through 16 starts. Kansas City, which has the worst defense in NFL, represents a perfect fit considering they need to make an upgrade on defense and they need to do it fast. Currently 3-4, a playoff spot could slip away from the Chiefs if they fail to make adequate improvements next Tuesday.
In addition to Collier and a sixth-round pick, the Chiefs would also get Penny, who offers depth in the backfield. It’s no secret that the Chiefs have explored a Marlon Mack trade ever since losing Clyde Edwards-Helaire to injury. However, the Colts reportedly have a high asking price, making someone like the Seahawks a much more reasonable trade partner. The oft-injured Penny, who just returned from another IR stint this past Monday, is in dire need of a fresh start in a different city. Through parts of four pro seasons, the former first-round pick has appeared in just 29 games, racking up 998 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. Penny would presumably compete with Jerick McKinnon for the backup role in Kansas City’s offense.
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