The Seahawks now want a second round pick for DK Metcalf
Dianna Russini initially reported Seattle wanted a first and third rounder. Now she’s saying they’ve lowered their asking price and they’ll take a deal centered around a selection in round two.
Clearly they’re not getting the market they hoped for. The need to pay Metcalf a massive contract, months after Brandon Aiyuk’s deal became an albatross for the 49ers, is an issue for buying teams. It feels like the Seahawks are eager to get the best deal they can now to move on. We’ll see if anyone bites to satisfy that desire, or whether they’ll end up having to wait this out. This news could give suitors a jolt to move things along.
If a deal is struck, I wouldn’t expect a high second rounder in return.
The market is what it is. The Seahawks can’t force teams to make a great offer. Ultimately they have to decide how prepared they are to let this linger for weeks until the draft and possibly beyond. Are they absolutely willing to let Metcalf’s future be a talking point going into training camp and the season?
I’d suggest this story getting out today makes it seem any potential new contract with Metcalf, in light of the Geno Smith trade, is not on the mind of either party.
There is something to note about the suggestion some are making to just keep him. People talk about compensatory picks all the time but rarely mention it also means the Seahawks not being active in free agency. If you bring outside free agents to your team, it cancels out any outgoings.
With a league-leading $155m in cap space for 2026 at the moment, I’d suggest it’s very unlikely the Seahawks will be inactive enough in 12 months to secure any comp picks for Metcalf.
They could always franchise him but do they really want to play that game, instead of just getting something now?
The Chargers at #55, Panthers at #57 and Texans at #58 seem like plausible destinations for Metcalf but do they want to trade away a second rounder? He apparently wants to go to a warm weather city. The Seahawks don’t have to sanction that, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause. That could keep Green Bay at #54 in the mix, or Denver at #51 and Pittsburgh at #52. But are these teams thinking they can get him for less if they’re patient?
On my updated horizontal board (see below, click to enlarge) I have 51 players with a true second round grade or higher. It’d be nice to pick within that range:
Free agents the Seahawks should target tomorrow
The ‘legal tampering’ period is pretty much already underway, that’s why we’re seeing a number of re-signings this weekend. Players know what their market is already and the ones staying with their teams can sign now. I’d imagine most of the big-name free agents already know who they’ll be joining and all will be revealed on Monday at noon eastern time.
Will Fries (G, Colts)
Fries is the player to target within this free agency class. A perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme, he provides positional flexibility and could start at either guard spot. He only turns 27 in April and after studying his tape, there’s no doubt he would give the Seahawks’ O-line the biggest boost among the players available. For me, he’s a must sign.
Sam Darnold (QB, Vikings)
The Seahawks need a quarterback who can win in the NFL, providing a clear direction for 2025 and hedging against the draft. Signing Darnold will essentially be delivering a cheaper, younger version of Geno Smith — with caveats in the contract should Seattle select a quarterback next month. Darnold’s familiarity with Klint Kubiak makes this a no-brainer.
Drew Dalman (C, Falcons)
Signing Dalman would secure a vital position within Kubiak’s system. There’s been speculation he might get as much as $20m on the open market, which would be a massive outlay. Fries needs to be the main target based on talent but if the Seahawks somehow pulled off a way to land Dalman too, it could set the table for a transformational off-season. I would go all-in to try and make it happen.
Tre’von Moehrig (S, Raiders)
Moehrig feels like one of those players whose best football is still ahead of him. He doesn’t turn 26 until this summer and there’s been talk of a $12m-a-year price tag which sounds extremely reasonable. He can cover and play in the box so he’s versatile enough for Mike Macdonald’s scheme. He would provide a further injection of talent on the back-end of the defense. If the Seahawks miss out on the top O-liners (and fingers crossed that doesn’t happen) they could pivot to someone like Moehrig as a ‘big signing’.
Justin Reid (S, Chiefs)
As with Moehrig, this feels like a good opportunity to add a quality starter to the secondary. You have to play the market that is presented to you — and there are safeties in this free agency class who are interesting. Reid is still only 28 and he’s a great run defender (as is Moehrig). I’d also check into Talanoa Hufanga’s market.
Kevin Zeitler (G, Lions)
Throughout his career, Zeitler has produced a high standard of play. It’s surprising he’s moved around as much as he has. He turned 35 on Saturday so he’s very much in a year-to-year situation. You’d expect he’ll re-sign with the Lions. However, his zone blocking grade is good and the Seahawks need to inject proven quality into their O-line. He would do that.
Ryan Kelly (C, Colts)
There will be concern after an injury-hit 2024 season, especially as he prepares to turn 32 and with the Colts seemingly ready to move on. However, his zone blocking grade in 2023 was decent enough and he’d provide a ton of much-needed experience and grit to the offensive line. Pairing him with Fries would make sense as they’d deliver built-in chemistry. If they can’t sign Dalman, Kelly would be a reasonable Plan B.
Elijah Moore (WR, Browns)
A former blog favourite going into the 2021 draft, Moore has suffered because he’s had to play for the Jets and the Browns. He turns 25 later this month and still has plenty of time to show what he can do. A former #34 overall pick, he has the quickness and agility to separate. He’s worth rolling the dice on.
Aaron Banks (G, 49ers)
There’s been talk about Banks landing Robert Hunt money in free agency, a curious suggestion given he’s never really been anything more than average in San Francisco. However, this is where the Seahawks are at. They need to add players to their offensive line. If they miss out on Fries and Dalman, they’ll need to pivot. If nothing else, Banks knows the scheme.
Brandon Stephens (CB, Ravens)
I’m not sure Mike Macdonald believes he can trust Riq Woolen and you wonder if the Seahawks would listen to offers for his services going into a contract year. Either way, they need extra depth at cornerback. Stephens excelled in Baltimore under Macdonald in 2023 but his play regressed in 2024. This might provide a prove-it opportunity under a coach who knows him well.
Isaiah Rodgers (CB, Eagles)
When he was asked to fill-in for Darius Slay he excelled, earning a 76.0 PFF grade. He’s not the type of player you bring in with the objective of being an unchallenged starter but as depth and competition to push someone like Woolen, you could do a lot worse.
James Daniels (G, Steelers)
He started last year strongly before suffering an achilles injury. He’d be higher on this list if that hadn’t happened. Instead, you have to wonder how healthy he is and when he’ll be able to return to his best level of play. That could present an opportunity to get him on a cheaper prove-it deal to either provide depth or fill a spot at guard or center if you miss out on other options.
Marquez Valdez-Scantling (WR, Saints)
The Seahawks don’t have enough speed or depth at receiver. That’ll be further exacerbated if they trade DK Metcalf. MVS is hardly going to come in aged 30 and be a 1000-yard receiver but he showed flashes in New Orleans under Kubiak. He won’t be expensive so you could do a lot worse than add him to the mix.
Jarran Reed & Ernest Jones Jr
It’s critical the Seahawks keep these two players. Reed provides toughness, leadership and underrated production at defensive tackle. Jones Jr helped turn Seattle’s defense around last season and might not garner the absolute maximum in contract talks, given his recent procedure on a knee issue.
EDIT — Jarran Reed agreed terms on a three-year extension with Seahawks today
Setting things up for the draft
This is the key for the Seahawks. They want to be able to go into the draft feeling like they can go BPA at #18. They don’t want to feel like they have to force anything on the offensive line — which is why it’s so critical to make improvements this week.
We know certain players won’t last to #18. I’d suggest that includes Tyler Warren, Ashton Jeanty, Armand Membou and Colston Loveland. It’s possible others, such as Jihaad Campbell, Jahdae Barron and Will Johnson, could make it to Seattle’s pick. You’d like the opportunity to capitalise on that if it happens.
You also want to leave open the possibility of taking a quarterback at #18. For example, I suspect that in a month’s time we might be seeing some mocks projecting Tyler Shough in the top-10. There’s momentum behind his stock, with teams being unexpectedly impressed by his interviews and play at the Senior Bowl and combine.
When John Schneider spoke last week about doing additional work on a couple of quarterbacks who impressed in Indianapolis, I’m guessing he’s referring to Shough. I think multiple teams are now contemplating taking him in round one — including the Seahawks. In order to be in a position to comfortably do something like this, you need to address your offensive line in free agency.
Shough won’t be the only one under consideration. Whether it’s at #18, #50 or somewhere in-between — Jaxson Dart, Quinn Ewers and Will Howard could also, easily, be in the mix.
I’ll also add — I’m pretty sure the Seahawks are determined to add another EDGE rusher this off-season. The options aren’t great in free agency but they are decent in the draft. Again, you can comfortably take a pass rusher at #18 or #50 provided you address the offensive line in the coming days. I really believe Donovan Ezeiruaku could be a firm favourite within Seattle’s draft room and keep an eye on Bradyn Swinson too.
