Category Archives: Trades

Schneider already talking trade down

NFL draftIt looks like John Schneider is indeed poised to make his usual move down in the first round — apparently for an offensive lineman — but don’t expect any deal to be made until the Seahawks are on the clock Thursday.

The Falcons want to jump over a few teams for a pass rusher, per draft insider Tony Pauline. But they likely will want to make sure their guy is there when the draft hits pick No. 26.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, surely want to dangle the pick for as long as possible to get the best deal. The current talks involve Atlanta’s fourth-round pick, per Pauline — but that would be a poor return for Seattle.

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Will Schneider trade first pick for sixth straight draft?

NFL draft“You want to have picks all the way through. You kind of look at Cleveland’s board (11 picks) like, ‘Dang, it’s awesome.’” — John Schneider

John Schneider always wants more draft picks. In his seven Seattle drafts, he has never had fewer than eight. At this point, he has seven for this week’s draft — including an impressive five in the first three rounds — but he seems quite likely to add to his stockpile.

He still could add picks by trading Marshawn Lynch and/or Richard Sherman — although the Oakland Raiders and Lynch still have not worked out a contract and Schneider repeated he is not expecting a Sherman deal.

“We’ve kind of moved past that,” he said Monday, reminding everyone the price for Sherman remains high. “The guy’s one of the top cornerbacks in the league. You don’t just give him away.”

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‘Quarterbacks are going to drive this draft’

NFL draftThe problem with drafting in the bottom 10 picks of the first round is you are basically adding a second-round player for first-round money.

That’s largely why John Schneider has traded his first pick in each of the past five drafts — and is very likely to do it again, if the chance arises.

Twice in the last three years, Schneider has leveraged other teams’ desires for quarterbacks to net Seattle extra picks.

In 2014, with the Hawks picking last on the heels of their Super Bowl win, he let Minnesota come up from No. 40 to draft Teddy Bridgewater. He moved down another five spots in the second round and ended up with Paul Richardson, Cassius Marsh, Kevin Norwood and Kiero Small.

In 2016, Schneider got an even better deal, dangling Paxton Lynch to Denver, which paid a third-round pick to move from 31 to 26. The Seahawks used the 31st pick on Germain Ifedi and the third on Nick Vannett.

It looks like that same strategy could be in play again this year.

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The search for ‘spark’

Draft -- Schneider and Carroll“I think he’d admit that he had a rough year. So he’s looking for maybe a new spark and he’s either going to find that here in Seattle or he would find it somewhere else, but odds are he’s going to find it here.” 
— John Schneider on Richard Sherman.

That’s the key quote from Schneider’s interview with 710 ESPN on Thursday night.

Schneider also talked about mutual respect, constant communication and “a great relationship” between the Seahawks’ chiefs and the All-Pro cornerback. But the bottom line is in those words: “He had a rough year” and is “looking for maybe a new spark.”

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Sherman trade odds and mock deals

NFL draftOne of the biggest storylines in the NFL over the next 10 days will be the status of Richard Sherman. Will the Seahawks find a trade partner before the draft begins April 27? Where will Sherman play in 2017?

A couple of bookmakers have set odds on his 2017 team, with the Seahawks favored to keep him at this point (opening odds in parentheses):

Seattle Seahawks -200 (+800)
New Orleans Saints +1000 (+300)
Oakland Raiders +1000 (+400)
Atlanta Falcons +1200 (+500)
Dallas Cowboys +1200 (+550)
Pittsburgh Steelers +1200
Green Bay Packers +1200 (+1600)
Tennessee Titans +2000 (+600)
Detroit Lions +2500
New England Patriots +2500 (+3000)
Philadelphia Eagles +2500
Jacksonville Jaguars N/L (+1200)

A few mock drafts have offered up potential trades involving these and other teams. Let’s take a look.

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Schneider poised to make a few trades?

NFL draft“Who says we’re picking at 26?” — John Schneider in 2016 (and 2017?).

With the draft two weeks away, it looks like John Schneider could be getting ready to make some big moves.

On top of the Marshawn Lynch trade that seems destined to happen at any time and the potential Richard Sherman deal, Schneider is rumored to be talking to teams about moving up in the first round — which would be a first for him as Seattle’s general manager.

Reports early Thursday indicated the Seahawks and Raiders would end up working out a trade, assuming Lynch and the Raiders worked out a contract. On Thursday night, Lynch sent out a tweet that seemed to indicate he and the Raiders had come to terms, and it was reported as done Friday until Lynch seemed to set everyone straight.

Once it gets “real” with the Raiders, a deal between Seattle and Oakland would seem to be coming shortly after.

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Great time to find some new Legionnaires

NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks. Every Friday until the April 27-29 draft, we look at draft topics related to the Seahawks.

Whether the Seahawks trade Richard Sherman or not this year, the admission by Pete Carroll and John Schneider that the Hawks are fielding offers for the All-Pro is a sign that the Legion of Boom is at a crossroads.

Even if Earl Thomas comes back better than ever, Kam Chancellor gets his contract extension and Sherman avoids a trade, it is clear the end is approaching for the fabled unit. And, as it turns out, this is a great year to find heirs apparent in the draft.

Continue reading Great time to find some new Legionnaires

Sherman asked out? Don’t believe it

Hawks vs Packers Sherman all aloneAdam Schefter’s “report” that Richard Sherman asked for a trade blew up today — confusing some and making others nod in understanding over why Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been so open about the possibility of moving the All-Pro corner.

But Sherman did not ask for a trade. Schneider and Sherman’s brother made that pretty clear earlier this week.

Schefter’s clip on ESPN got a lot of attention, but notice what he actually said: “My understanding was that Richard Sherman initiated this. He was looking to get out of Seattle. He was open to that idea initially. They’re accommodating him by listening to trade offers.”

“My understanding” is another way of saying “a source told me.” That source obviously had a motive — either trying to make it look like Sherman has more control than he really does (he doesn’t control where he goes) or trying to soften any backlash if the Hawks do end up trading one of the Legion of Boom originals.

Either way, Schefter’s information goes against what Schneider and Branton Sherman said this week.

Continue reading Sherman asked out? Don’t believe it

CHAWK LINES -- Sherman

John Schneider reiterated Pete Carroll’s comments about the Seahawks being open to trading Sherman. Schneider called the possibility “real” but also echoed Carroll’s thought that a deal seems unlikely.

Sherman responded via MMQB, saying, “There is no bad blood.”

The Seahawks reportedly want a high pick and a “very good” veteran player — which makes perfect sense.

The Seahawks reportedly are being proactive about dealing Sherman as well.

The Patriots reportedly are interested — but seem like a long shot. Another report said the Patriots are not interested.

The Tennessee Titans, who have two first-round picks, seem to be the best match, considering their combination of draft capital, cap space and need.

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Despite skepticism, Sherman trade looks very possible

Hawks vs Packers Sherman all aloneDespite the skepticism by Pete Carroll and John Schneider that a Richard Sherman trade will materialize this offseason, it sounds like there is a better chance than anyone might have thought a month ago.

As Schneider today reconfirmed that the Seahawks are fielding offers, a report out of Boston indicated that the Patriots are still ones to watch in this drama.

Other teams have pursued Sherman more aggressively, a source told the Boston Herald, but the Patriots could become top suitors if they lose Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler (the Saints have been the team most linked to acquiring the restricted free agent).

Talking with 710 ESPN today, Schneider called the trade talk “real.”

Continue reading Despite skepticism, Sherman trade looks very possible