Combine week means time to get down to business

It’s Combine week. And you know what that means: While the scouts are checking out the draft prospects, a bunch of bigger business is being done behind the scenes in Indianapolis.

A year ago, John Schneider was listening to trade offers for DK Metcalf while trying to get a deal done with Geno Smith’s agents (and declining a trade offer from Pete Carroll’s Raiders).

A few days after the Combine, Schneider traded both Metcalf and Smith and quickly pivoted to Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp in the first week of free agency.

Nothing so drastic and dramatic is expected this week, although you can bet Schneider will check with the Raiders about Maxx Crosby again. He reportedly offered Smith and Metcalf for Crosby just before making the separate trades to Las Vegas and Pittsburgh a year ago.

Beyond that, Schneider and his guys will figure out the markets for Kenneth Walker III, Rashid Shaheed and their other free agents.

Last year, Schneider and team contract negotiator Joey Laine got both Ernest Jones IV and Jarran Reed re-signed just before the league year began. They surely hope to keep a couple more guys this time as well.

Here’s the latest.

Walker not worth top dollar?

Schneider recently seemed to make it pretty clear the Seahawks are not going to pay top dollar for Walker.

Asked on 710 AM about Walker’s stellar postseason, Schneider’s first response was to talk about the job Justin Outten did when he took over running backs. Schneider said Walker “did a great job” but also quickly mentioned George Holani’s good play as well.

Schneider said, “We’ll go down to the Combine and sit down with everybody and get the lay of the land and see where everybody’s heads are at.”

The running back market is off to a slow start. Javonte Williams just got $8 million a year to stay in Dallas, which had to be disappointing for Walker’s agents to see. But Breece Hall is the No. 1 back in free agency – whether he stays with the Jets or ends up elsewhere. Word is they might use the transition tag, which is projected to be $11.7 million. Walker’s agents figure to target whatever Hall gets.

The Seahawks are in a bit of a bind because of Zach Charbonnet’s ACL injury (he just had surgery the other day and is likely out until at least November).

But Schneider sounds like he thinks Seattle can coach up running backs rather than pay one guy big money.

Shaheed should be top priority

Shaheed should be Schneider’s top priority to keep, but at what cost? We think $12 million is reasonable, but what if his agents hear that Klint Kubiak’s Raiders will offer $15 million or more? How high would Schneider go? How high should he go?

Schneider gave up a fourth-rounder and a fifth-rounder for Shaheed, who then returned two kicks for touchdowns and helped opened up the running game with his deep speed.

The GM is on a roll with keeping midseason trade pickups – e.g., Leonard Williams and Jones. So you can bet Schneider will do all he can (within reason) to keep Shaheed.

What might Crosby cost?

On the Crosby front, some think it will take two first-round picks to get him from the Raiders. If other teams are willing, the Seahawks will be out. Even if Schneider would be OK giving up two bottom-of-the-round picks, they would be less valuable than any other team’s pair of aces.

We have suggested this year’s 1 and a 2 in 2027, plus maybe add Uchenna Nwosu. That would be a good haul for the Raiders and something Schneider might be open to.

Based on ESPN’s mock trade offers, that is the type of offer the Raiders are likely to get. So Seattle could very well be in on Crosby.

Bryant doubled up Hawks’ offer

Coby Bryant wanted double what the Hawks offered last summer, per Brady Henderson.

Obviously, that is a tough gap to bridge – especially with the Super Bowl premium now being added (Super Bowl free agents always get much more than they would otherwise on the market). Bryant’s market is projected at $14 million. And it sounds like the Hawks probably value Bryant at half that.

Ty Okada is available to replace Bryant, and other options will be added.

The prospects

As for the draft prep at the Combine, the Hawks’ top needs – before any re-signings — are cornerback, running back, edge rusher and safety. It is not a good draft for running backs or interior offensive line, but the draft is strong at those defensive positions and the first three picks could be used entirely on that side of the ball.

Some names we are tracking: