TRADES
John Schneider has never been one to stay away from big trades.
That doesn't mean that he has been successful in those kind of endeavors.
In fact, going through these may be downright disheartening for some fans.
So there's the heads-up, and here we go into the big trades.
These are the trades that involved at least a 3rd round pick in terms of draft capital.
PERCY HARVIN
Traded Away:
2013 1st Round Pick, #25 - (CB Xavier Rhodes)
2013 7th Round Pick, #214 - (G Travis Bond)
2014 3rd Round Pick, #96 - (RB Jerick McKinnon)
Received:
WR Percy Harvin
JIMMY GRAHAM
Traded Away:
2015 1st Round Pick, #31 - (LB, Stephone Anthony)
OC Max Unger
Received:
2015 4th Round Pick, #112 - (Traded)
TE Jimmy Graham
SHELDON RICHARDSON
Traded Away:
2018 2nd Round Pick, #49 - (Traded)
2018 7th Round Pick, #235 - (Traded)
WR Jermaine Kearse
Received:
2018 7th Round Pick, #226 - (Traded)
DT Sheldon Richardson
DUANE BROWN
Traded Away:
2018 3rd Round Pick, #80 - (OT Martinas Rankin)
2019 2nd Round Pick, #54 - (CB Lonnie Johnson)
Received:
2018 5th Round Pick, #141 - (LB Shaquem Griffin)
LT Duane Brown
FRANK CLARK
Traded Away:
2019 3rd Round Pick, #84 - (DT Khalen Saunders)
DE Frank Clark
Received:
2019 1st Round Pick, #29 - (DL LJ Collier)
2019 3rd Round Pick, #92 - (Traded)
2020 2nd Round Pick, #64 - (Traded)
JADEVEON CLOWNEY
2013 1st Round Pick, #25 - (CB Xavier Rhodes)
2013 7th Round Pick, #214 - (G Travis Bond)
2014 3rd Round Pick, #96 - (RB Jerick McKinnon)
Received:
WR Percy Harvin
JIMMY GRAHAM
Traded Away:
2015 1st Round Pick, #31 - (LB, Stephone Anthony)
OC Max Unger
Received:
2015 4th Round Pick, #112 - (Traded)
TE Jimmy Graham
SHELDON RICHARDSON
Traded Away:
2018 2nd Round Pick, #49 - (Traded)
2018 7th Round Pick, #235 - (Traded)
WR Jermaine Kearse
Received:
2018 7th Round Pick, #226 - (Traded)
DT Sheldon Richardson
DUANE BROWN
Traded Away:
2018 3rd Round Pick, #80 - (OT Martinas Rankin)
2019 2nd Round Pick, #54 - (CB Lonnie Johnson)
Received:
2018 5th Round Pick, #141 - (LB Shaquem Griffin)
LT Duane Brown
FRANK CLARK
Traded Away:
2019 3rd Round Pick, #84 - (DT Khalen Saunders)
DE Frank Clark
Received:
2019 1st Round Pick, #29 - (DL LJ Collier)
2019 3rd Round Pick, #92 - (Traded)
2020 2nd Round Pick, #64 - (Traded)
JADEVEON CLOWNEY
Traded Away:
2020 3rd Round Pick, #91 - (Traded)
LB Barkevious Mingo
LB Jake Martin
Received:
DE Jadeveon Clowney
JAMAL ADAMS
Traded Away:
2021 1st Round Pick, #23 - (Traded)
2021 3rd Round Pick, #86 - (Traded)
2022 1st Round Pick
Received:
2022 4th Round Pick
SS Jamal Adams
RUSSELL WILSON
Traded Away:
2022 4th Round Pick
QB Russell Wilson
Received:
2022 1st Round Pick
2022 2nd Round Pick
2022 5th Round Pick
2023 1st Round Pick
2023 2nd Round Pick
QB Drew Lock
TE Noah Fant
DT Shelby Harris
Taken as a whole, it seems like John doesn't excel at the "big move". None of the moves listed above escape criticism, except perhaps the Duane Brown and/or Frank Clark trades, and even Frank's could be criticized for what they did with what they got. We don't know for sure how the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade will ultimately look, except that it is the ONE instance where, perhaps, the criticism may need to be leveled at someone else.
If I were to point out some basic flaws in the "big trade" approach, it would appear that each big trade (with the exception of Duane Brown and possibly Frank Clark) was a poor decision from a team-building or team philosophy standpoint.
In Percy Harvin, Pete Carroll wanted a game-breaking offensive weapon with explosive abilities and touchdown potential with every touch. He got an injury-prone, locker-room disaster who prevented the team from re-signing a valuable WR in Golden Tate.
In Jimmy Graham, Pete wanted a massive target who could function as the team's WR1 and provided a consistent red-zone threat. He got a soft tight end who couldn't (or wouldn't) block, either in-line or split out wide, that negatively impacted the run game, and spent money at a non-premium position for a player who didn't bring the physicality that the team's philosophy demanded.
In Sheldon Richardson, Pete wanted a potential game-wreaker on the defensive line who had size, talent, and nastiness. He got a streaky, low-work ethic, non-scheme fit.
In Jamal Adams, Pete wanted a physical presence on the back end with a leader's mentality, speed, hit power, and the ability to play all phases of the game, including run defense, pass rush, and coverage. He got a player who plays an unsustainable style, hasn't stayed on the field, who is a positionless hybrid player playing an important and defined role with clear rules in the PC system, and whose primary weakness is supposed to be the position's primary strength.
What About Russ?
The Russell Wilson trade is of an entirely different variety, and shouldn't be viewed in entirely the same light as these "big trades". This is a BLOCKBUSTER trade. Receiving two firsts and two seconds is a good starting place for a Pro Bowl-caliber QB, but seems low. As I mentioned earlier, that may or may not actually be John Schneider's fault at all, but may entirely be due to Russell's contract and choices. If we assume that JS isn't entirely at fault for the lower draft capital, we can at least look at the players received in the package.
First, the Seahawks needed a QB. Period. Drew Lock is a QB. End of that discussion. He will be the backup or one-year bridge QB. Second, Shelby Harris is an excellent DT who has had "Elite" grades twice in the past four years, per PFF, and has never had a below-average year. That's something every team needs, and Pete's teams can definitely use. My struggle is with Noah Fant. He's a physically enticing prospect with athletic ability for days... but has received terrible PFF grades as a blocker every year in the league, and that's easy to see on film. Pete has proven time and time again that he does NOT need a star tight end, and that having one actually harms the system, possibly distracting from the main goals of his philosophy. Great blocking tight ends with soft hands have functioned best in his systems: think Zach Miller from the Seahawks' 2011-2014 squads, or even the healthy version of Will Dissly from recent years.
I would much rather have added a top young WR like Jerry Jeudy to this deal, especially since the Seahawks have reportedly been looking for another young wide receiver to round out their WR corps. However, realistically, I would have rather had additional draft picks. It is not too much to say that Wilson should have commanded two firsts, two seconds, and two thirds alongside Lock and Harris, and that's still probably underselling it. If there's anything I could say to Pete Carroll and John Schneider as we continue along this journey, it would be: "Don't compromise your philosophy.". In this case, I mean very clearly: stop pursuing primarily pass-catching tight ends. They are not as important to your system as men who get physical and block well, even if they aren't quite as fast or impressive after the catch.
Moderate Trades
Schneider, however, has proven to be much more masterful when it comes to the moderate trade.
Check this out: these are players who became Seahawks for later draft picks (4th-7th rounds) or other compensation.
Marshawn Lynch
Kellen Winslow
Sealver Siliga
D'Anthony Smith
Terrelle Pryor
Marcus Burley
Mohammed Seisay
Kelcie McCray
Dewey McDonald
DJ Alexander
Matt Tobin
Justin Coleman
Isaiah Battle
Marcus Johnson
Brett Hundley
Shalom Luani
Darrell Daniels
Jacob Hollister
Parry Nickerson
Quandre Diggs
Quinton Dunbar
Carlos Dunlap
Gabe Jackson
John Reid
Sidney Jones
Since most of these trades involved minimal trade compensation, and some ended up costing nothing at all (due to conditional picks being sent), the misses don't matter nearly as much, but the hits stick out like a sore thumb (in a good way, of course).
Marshawn is a Seattle legend. Diggs is a Pro Bowler who many fans want back. Dunlap is a fantastic defensive end, though he is late in his career at this point. Jackson is a starting-caliber NFL guard. Jones is a starting-quality NFL cornerback who may be back with the Seahawks at some point as well. Even guys like Coleman and Hollister were starters at their positions who had some level of success with the Seahawks for a minimal price.
Will PCJS bring enough to this team to make it a contender in a short period of time?
Starting an off-season by saying goodbye to your star QB is definitely one way to make a splash; now Seahawks fans hope that there are more major moves in the making, because this team is hard to envision as being better or more successful minus Houdini at quarterback.
A Brief Goodbye
For now, we thank Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner (who was informed of his release from the team earlier today) for their contributions to the Seahawks and the city of Seattle.
Thank you, Russ, for inspiring a love of football in many young fans, for being the face of our state's success, and for bringing the city of Seattle its first championship.
Thank you, Bobby, for being a true class act, on and off the field. Thank you for being a person of character, for your contributions to this city, and for leading well.
Good luck to you both, and God bless.
2020 3rd Round Pick, #91 - (Traded)
LB Barkevious Mingo
LB Jake Martin
Received:
DE Jadeveon Clowney
JAMAL ADAMS
Traded Away:
2021 1st Round Pick, #23 - (Traded)
2021 3rd Round Pick, #86 - (Traded)
2022 1st Round Pick
Received:
2022 4th Round Pick
SS Jamal Adams
RUSSELL WILSON
Traded Away:
2022 4th Round Pick
QB Russell Wilson
Received:
2022 1st Round Pick
2022 2nd Round Pick
2022 5th Round Pick
2023 1st Round Pick
2023 2nd Round Pick
QB Drew Lock
TE Noah Fant
DT Shelby Harris
Taken as a whole, it seems like John doesn't excel at the "big move". None of the moves listed above escape criticism, except perhaps the Duane Brown and/or Frank Clark trades, and even Frank's could be criticized for what they did with what they got. We don't know for sure how the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade will ultimately look, except that it is the ONE instance where, perhaps, the criticism may need to be leveled at someone else.
Seems Russ strangled Seattle into this deal. Amazing they got what they did with no other options. https://t.co/13V3dKsd4o
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) March 9, 2022
If I were to point out some basic flaws in the "big trade" approach, it would appear that each big trade (with the exception of Duane Brown and possibly Frank Clark) was a poor decision from a team-building or team philosophy standpoint.
In Percy Harvin, Pete Carroll wanted a game-breaking offensive weapon with explosive abilities and touchdown potential with every touch. He got an injury-prone, locker-room disaster who prevented the team from re-signing a valuable WR in Golden Tate.
In Jimmy Graham, Pete wanted a massive target who could function as the team's WR1 and provided a consistent red-zone threat. He got a soft tight end who couldn't (or wouldn't) block, either in-line or split out wide, that negatively impacted the run game, and spent money at a non-premium position for a player who didn't bring the physicality that the team's philosophy demanded.
In Sheldon Richardson, Pete wanted a potential game-wreaker on the defensive line who had size, talent, and nastiness. He got a streaky, low-work ethic, non-scheme fit.
In Jamal Adams, Pete wanted a physical presence on the back end with a leader's mentality, speed, hit power, and the ability to play all phases of the game, including run defense, pass rush, and coverage. He got a player who plays an unsustainable style, hasn't stayed on the field, who is a positionless hybrid player playing an important and defined role with clear rules in the PC system, and whose primary weakness is supposed to be the position's primary strength.
What About Russ?
The Russell Wilson trade is of an entirely different variety, and shouldn't be viewed in entirely the same light as these "big trades". This is a BLOCKBUSTER trade. Receiving two firsts and two seconds is a good starting place for a Pro Bowl-caliber QB, but seems low. As I mentioned earlier, that may or may not actually be John Schneider's fault at all, but may entirely be due to Russell's contract and choices. If we assume that JS isn't entirely at fault for the lower draft capital, we can at least look at the players received in the package.
First, the Seahawks needed a QB. Period. Drew Lock is a QB. End of that discussion. He will be the backup or one-year bridge QB. Second, Shelby Harris is an excellent DT who has had "Elite" grades twice in the past four years, per PFF, and has never had a below-average year. That's something every team needs, and Pete's teams can definitely use. My struggle is with Noah Fant. He's a physically enticing prospect with athletic ability for days... but has received terrible PFF grades as a blocker every year in the league, and that's easy to see on film. Pete has proven time and time again that he does NOT need a star tight end, and that having one actually harms the system, possibly distracting from the main goals of his philosophy. Great blocking tight ends with soft hands have functioned best in his systems: think Zach Miller from the Seahawks' 2011-2014 squads, or even the healthy version of Will Dissly from recent years.
I would much rather have added a top young WR like Jerry Jeudy to this deal, especially since the Seahawks have reportedly been looking for another young wide receiver to round out their WR corps. However, realistically, I would have rather had additional draft picks. It is not too much to say that Wilson should have commanded two firsts, two seconds, and two thirds alongside Lock and Harris, and that's still probably underselling it. If there's anything I could say to Pete Carroll and John Schneider as we continue along this journey, it would be: "Don't compromise your philosophy.". In this case, I mean very clearly: stop pursuing primarily pass-catching tight ends. They are not as important to your system as men who get physical and block well, even if they aren't quite as fast or impressive after the catch.
Moderate Trades
Schneider, however, has proven to be much more masterful when it comes to the moderate trade.
Check this out: these are players who became Seahawks for later draft picks (4th-7th rounds) or other compensation.
Marshawn Lynch
Kellen Winslow
Sealver Siliga
D'Anthony Smith
Terrelle Pryor
Marcus Burley
Mohammed Seisay
Kelcie McCray
Dewey McDonald
DJ Alexander
Matt Tobin
Justin Coleman
Isaiah Battle
Marcus Johnson
Brett Hundley
Shalom Luani
Darrell Daniels
Jacob Hollister
Parry Nickerson
Quandre Diggs
Quinton Dunbar
Carlos Dunlap
Gabe Jackson
John Reid
Sidney Jones
Since most of these trades involved minimal trade compensation, and some ended up costing nothing at all (due to conditional picks being sent), the misses don't matter nearly as much, but the hits stick out like a sore thumb (in a good way, of course).
Marshawn is a Seattle legend. Diggs is a Pro Bowler who many fans want back. Dunlap is a fantastic defensive end, though he is late in his career at this point. Jackson is a starting-caliber NFL guard. Jones is a starting-quality NFL cornerback who may be back with the Seahawks at some point as well. Even guys like Coleman and Hollister were starters at their positions who had some level of success with the Seahawks for a minimal price.
Will PCJS bring enough to this team to make it a contender in a short period of time?
Starting an off-season by saying goodbye to your star QB is definitely one way to make a splash; now Seahawks fans hope that there are more major moves in the making, because this team is hard to envision as being better or more successful minus Houdini at quarterback.
A Brief Goodbye
For now, we thank Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner (who was informed of his release from the team earlier today) for their contributions to the Seahawks and the city of Seattle.
Thank you, Russ, for inspiring a love of football in many young fans, for being the face of our state's success, and for bringing the city of Seattle its first championship.
Thank you, Bobby, for being a true class act, on and off the field. Thank you for being a person of character, for your contributions to this city, and for leading well.
Good luck to you both, and God bless.
