When the Seahawks brought back Drew Lock last Friday, the first thought that came to mind was: Whither Sam Howell?

With Lock reportedly signed to a two-year deal, it sure seems to put Howell on the trade block.

The Hawks acquired Howell in a pick swap last year, getting a fourth and sixth while giving up a third and fifth. It was not a bad price to pay (equivalent of a fourth-rounder) for a look at a guy who had started a full season in the NFL and might be a possible long-term QB.

But Howell was no competition for Geno Smith and showed very poorly in clearly trying circumstances against the Packers late in the season.

John Schneider had said he looked forward to seeing Howell in Klint Kubiak’s offense because Ryan Grubb’s offense “wasn’t a good setup for him.” But now here comes Lock back, and he seems like as good a fit or better as the backup in Kubiak’s offense, which includes plenty of rollouts and bootlegs.

This is a weak QB draft, which means there could be a minor market for Howell, who was a fifth-round pick in 2022. He would have been the third-rated QB in this draft, per NFL.com’s grading.

Minnesota, which is weak at No. 2 QB, was immediately mentioned as a possibility. The Vikings have just four picks in this draft though. The Hawks could offer 175 for 139 – which would still leave the Vikings with four picks but would vault Seattle up to the top pick of the fifth round. Otherwise, maybe it is a deal for a 2026 pick.

New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville and Philadelphia all could use backup quarterbacks as well. The Saints and Steelers also have questions at starter, with Derek Carr injured and Aaron Rodgers still undecided about signing with Pittsburgh.

Whether it happens before or after the draft, Howell is likely going to be traded somewhere.

Here is a look at other Seahawks who could be traded or have been mentioned as trade bait:

Riq Woolen

Likelihood: 60%

If the Hawks could get a Day 2 pick for Woolen, that would be a great move. This draft is light at corner after Day 2, so the Hawks would be wise to try to get some team to give it up for the former Pro Bowl player. If they could get the pick ahead of the draft, that would give them even greater flexibility – five picks on Day 2. They could quickly replace Woolen with one of those. The other way to do it would be to get the corner first and then move Woolen after the draft for 2026 stock. However they do it, they should try to flip him for a 2 or 3 – because they are very unlikely to pay him in 2026.

Noah Fant

Likelihood: 25%

Fant’s position on the roster is not assured. He is in the final year of his deal, scheduled to make $9 million. If the Hawks were to draft a tight end, they could end up flipping him to a team in need that did not get to draft one. It might be Kubiak’s call; he knows Fant from their year together in Denver (2022). If the Hawks look to deal the tight end, he probably wouldn’t bring more than a 5 or 6.

Boye Mafe

Likelihood: 15%

This seems pretty unlikely, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. The Hawks are expected to take advantage of a great class of edge rushers and draft for the future, with Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu and DeMarcus Lawrence no sure things past 2025. If they do get a good edge in the first two days, they could then look to deal Mafe to a team that did not get the pass rusher it wanted in the draft. Then the Hawks ride into 2025 with Nwosu, Lawrence, Derick Hall and the rookie. The reason this seems unlikely is that Nwosu is no sure thing to stay healthy, Lawrence is a part-time player and a rookie likely would be as well. Even if the Hawks do not plan to pay Mafe, he is good insurance for 2025 – and a possible 2027 comp pick if he goes elsewhere in 2026.

Kenneth Walker III

Likelihood: 5%

There is a lot of recent speculation, for some reason, that the Hawks might trade Walker. That all ignores the fact that this is a great draft for running backs all the way through. Why would any team trade for a rusher when it could just draft one? And Walker is an injury-prone guy who is in the final year of his contract. No one is going to offer much for him. The Hawks are better off letting him play it out. Ideally he would stay healthy and hit 1,000 yards. If he earns a big deal elsewhere, he also could be a 2027 comp pick. Or else maybe the Hawks keep him at a reasonable price.