Analysis: Revisiting Seahawks Trade Targets For Every NFL Team With Losing Record
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2895"]
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images [/caption]
Already entering Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, emerging contenders such as the Seattle Seahawks likely have already opened lines of communication with other teams looking to upgrade their rosters before the November 4 trade deadline.
As one of his biggest strengths, Seahawks general manager John Schneider has aced numerous trades at the deadline over the years, including acquiring linebacker Ernest Jones from the Titans last October to solidify the middle of coach Mike Macdonald’s defense for the second half stretch run. One year earlier, he shipped a second and fifth-round pick to the Giants for Leonard Williams, who has been an absolute superstar in parts of three seasons in Seattle, and he previously stole safety Quandre Diggs and defensive end Carlos Dunlap from the Lions and Bengals respectively.
Who could be Schneider’s next impactful acquisition? Looking at every team currently holding a losing record through seven weeks, here are 13 players who would make a ton of sense for the Seahawks to inquire about before the upcoming deadline:
AFC
Miami Dolphins (1-6) - Jaylen Waddle, WR
Already without Tyreek Hill for the remainder of the season due to a severe knee injury, the Dolphins may have the 27-year old Waddle bookmarked as an untouchable even after an embarrassing loss to the Browns dug their hole in the AFC East standings even deeper. At the same time, with a major rebuild on the horizon in Miami, the franchise may not have a better asset on the roster to flip for draft assets to accelerate that rebuild than the speedy playmaker, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first three NFL seasons and led the league with 18.1 yards per reception in 2022. With him being under contract through 2028, he would not be a rental for the Seahawks, and the structure of his contract would have affordable cap hits under $7 million for the rest of 2025 as well as 2026. For that reason, giving up a second or even a first-round pick may be a justifiable price to add another explosive weapon to pair with superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba, forming a dynamic one-two punch for Sam Darnold to throw to for years to come.
Honorable Mention: Zach Sieler, DT
New York Jets (0-7) – Will McDonald IV, EDGE
The only team remaining winless in the NFL, the Jets have somehow reached a new low under first-year coach Aaron Glenn and they once again face the prospects of a major retool coming up next offseason. Needing draft picks to add to their stock pile, teams may be able to pry away one of their promising young edge rushers, which includes McDonald, a former second round pick who has one more year left under contract on his rookie deal and has had an underwhelming season so far with only two sacks after hitting double digits in 2024. On the smaller side at 241 pounds, he might not be the right fit for Mike Macdonald’s defense, but at the same time, he offers a skill set that differs from any other edge on Seattle’s roster with explosive upfield burst and elite bend to quickly threaten quarterbacks. For an early Day 3 selection, bringing him on board as a complementary rusher alongside Uchenna Nwosu, Demarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall would give the team the deepest, most versatile stable of edge defenders in the league.
Honorable Mention: Jermaine Johnson, DE
Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) – Logan Wilson, LB
Since joining the organization as a third round pick out of Wyoming, Wilson has been as reliable as any inside linebacker in the NFL manning the middle for the Bengals, eclipsing the 100-tackle mark four consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2024 while adding nine interceptions and 4.5 sacks as a multi-dimensional defender. However, with a new defensive coaching staff in town and a different scheme in place, he recently landed on the bench in favor of rookie Barrett Carter and reportedly requested a trade as a result. Now 29 years old, the veteran has remained solid defending the run with 41 combined tackles and still has been relatively effective with limited chances to blitz, though his coverage numbers haven’t been as good as previous seasons in his career. The Seahawks appear to have found something in Drake Thomas as their new starter at the WILL spot next to Ernest Jones, so trading for an upgrade may not be necessary at this point. Still, Wilson’s pedigree as a quality starter who may be available for a mid Day 3 pick could warrant a call.
Honorable Mention: Trey Hendrickson, EDGE
Baltimore Ravens (1-5) – Marlon Humphrey, CB
It might be hard to believe considering Baltimore’s history, but the Ravens have one of the worst defenses in the NFL as they have limped to a dreadful start. It’s been a steep fall since Macdonald coordinated the top-ranked scoring defense only two seasons ago, and John Harbaugh’s team doesn’t have many appetizing trade chips on that side of the football away from untouchables in Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton. For his part, Humphrey has had a rough start to the season as well, allowing two touchdowns and a 75 percent completion rate, which would easily be the worst of his career. But only one year ago, the 29-year old cornerback had six interceptions and 10 pass breakups with a 62.9 passer rating allowed, standing out as one of the premier players at his position. When healthy, the Seahawks have a formidable cornerback group, but pairing Humphrey back up with Macdonald could be a shrewd move to get him back on track in a defense he’s excelled in previously, especially with Riq Woolen heading to free agency in March.
Honorable Mention: Brent Urban, DE
Cleveland Browns (2-5) – Wyatt Teller, G
The Seahawks have demonstrated marked improvement from their offensive line under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and coach John Benton, but Anthony Bradford has continued to struggle with a 95.5 pass block efficiency rate, which ranks 52nd out of 55 qualified guards. Teller hasn’t been significantly better at 96.9, which sits 32nd among qualified blockers at the position. With that said, the veteran has been far more effective in the run game, including as a top-12 graded zone blocker by PFF. The 31-year old would also be an affordable upgrade with just under $7 million remaining on his cap hit in the final year of his current contract, which would allow Seattle to be able to acquire him for a mid-Day 3 pick as a rental addition. Some fans may scoff at this idea with Teller’s past illegal block on edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, but he could help the line reach another level in the second half with Bradford being the weakest link, at least from a consistency standpoint, while adding a needed veteran presence up front.
Honorable Mention: Maliek Collins, DT
Houston Texans (2-4) – Azeez Al-Shaair, LB
Prior to the start of the season, second-year linebacker Tyrice Knight had high expectations coming off a successful rookie season. However, a knee injury and undisclosed medical issue knocked him out of most of training camp and the entire preseason, and he has not looked the same in game action, leading to Thomas quickly stealing away reps from him as the primary running mate next to Jones. The Seahawks could push forward with Thomas as the starter for the rest of the season, but Al-Shaair would present a possible veteran upgrade that wouldn’t break the bank and has a versatile skill set. The former 49ers starter had double-digit pressures in 2023 and 2024, providing an impact as a blitzer, with over 160 tackles for the Titans just two seasons ago and four straight seasons with a run defense grade north of 73.0 from PFF. Coverage has been inconsistent for him in his career, but he’s only allowed 11 catches on 17 targets thus far this year and would be a quality fit that shouldn’t require more than a late Day 3 pick to acquire if the Texans are out of the race.
Honorable Mention: Sheldon Rankins, DT
Tennessee Titans (1-6) – Kevin Zeitler, G
Though not a spring chicken by any means, the 35-year old Zeitler has kept on humming for a Titans offense that has been one of the NFL’s worst. Playing in six games at right guard, he has yielded only seven pressures on rookie quarterback Cam Ward for a 97.7 percent pass blocking efficiency rate, tied for 14th best in the league. He’s also been above average in the run blocking department with 65.0 or better grades both as a zone and gap blocker, which matches his long track record in that aspect. Just two years removed from his lone Pro Bowl in Baltimore and coming off arguably his strongest season helping Detroit earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC, he still has plenty of tread left on his tires. The key will be whether or not he wants to relocate the Pacific Northwest for a few months after spending his entire career east of the Mississippi River, but the chance for a title push should be enough to entice him for a Day 3 pick.
Honorable Mention: Roger McCrary, CB
Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) – Jackson Powers-Johnson, G/C
Drafted in the second round out of Oregon two years ago, Powers-Johnson has not found a permanent home on the Raiders’ offensive line, as he logged over 400 snaps at left guard and center during his rookie season before coach Pete Carroll slid him to right guard this season. Starting five games this year, his pass protection has been shaky allowing eight pressures and two sacks, but he ranks 11th in PFF’s zone blocking grade (72.0). He hasn’t been quiet about his desire to play center again even as he willingly played where the team asked him to, and with Las Vegas already well out of the AFC West race, a change of scenery could be ideal for him only two years into his NFL career. A top-tier athlete with positional versatility to play all three interior positions, the Seahawks could view him as an upgrade either at center or right guard that offers both present and long-term upside. If the cost for acquisition isn’t higher than an early Day 3 selection, such a move would make sense to further bolster an improved offensive line with a player whose strengths fit Klint Kubiak’s system quite well.
Honorable Mention: Devin White, LB
NFC
Washington Commanders (3-4) – Tyler Biadasz, C
Washington has dealt with a bunch of injuries in the first two months of the season, including quarterback Jayden Daniels missing multiple games already, and the NFC runner-ups from a year ago aren’t going to be rushing to sell off key pieces with the belief a healthier second half could lead to a surge up the standings. However, the Commanders have an aging roster in many regards, and acquiring draft picks to get younger in the future could be in the cards if the team slips up with another loss before the deadline. A product of Wisconsin, Biadasz has been known more as a powerful blocker who thrives in gap schemes, but he has enough athleticism to play in Kubiak’s system and previously graded out well as a zone blocker in Dallas earlier in his career. He also has been a quality pass protector, finishing 10th among centers in Pass Block Efficiency Rate (98.2) while allowing just one sack on Daniels last season. Under contract at a respectable $8.3 million next year, for a Day 3 pick, he would be another option to shore up the middle of the offensive line both short and long-term if available.
Honorable Mention: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE
New York Giants (2-5) – Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB
Even after drafting Abdul Carter in the top five picks in April, dealing a high-upside 24-year old pass rusher in Thibodeaux may not be a move they desire to make. But with Carter and Brian Burns under contract for the next four seasons and the Giants already three games out of first place in the NFC East, keeping all three would be tricky with the salary cap, and the former Oregon star has not been able to replicate production from a breakout 2023 season, putting his value on a long-term contract in question. If he was set to be a free agent in March, the Seahawks probably would take a brief look before passing onto other options, but Thibodeaux had his fifth-year option picked up with a $14 million cap hit and he has been more productive in regard to pressures and quarterback hits than Boye Mafe this season. Sending a Day 2 pick or an early Day 3 pick with Mafe or Hall included in the deal could bolster Seattle’s pass rush group in the present while also raising the ceiling in the future.
Honorable Mention: Roy Robertson-Harris, DL
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE
Similar to the Commanders, the Vikings have dealt with injuries at the quarterback position and with J.J. McCarthy close to returning, the front office may not be entertaining the idea of selling with a chance to climb back into the NFC North race. But if Minnesota does decide to field calls for veterans, Greenard would be a fun possibility to call about as a potential upgrade over Mafe and Hall. Turning into a vaunted pass rusher over the past two seasons, he amassed 24.5 sacks and 137 pressures in 2023 and 2024, stacking up with the best of the best during that span. His production has dipped quite a bit in 2025, however, with just two sacks in the first eight games. This could be a prime example where the Vikings try to get maximum return for a player whose value isn’t what it would have been a year ago that the Seahawks would be banking on rebounding with a better supporting cast around him in the trenches. If he can come close to the production he had the past two years, in exchange for a Day 2 and Day 3 selection, $19 million cap hits for 2026 and 2027 would be bargains as well.
Honorable Mention: Byron Murphy, CB
New Orleans Saints (1-6) – Cesar Ruiz, G
Based on PFF grades alone, most would not view Ruiz as a major upgrade over Bradford. However, he has only allowed nine pressures without giving up a sack in six starts for the Saints this season, posting a stellar 97.9 percent pass block efficiency rate that ranks 11th among qualified guards. And while his run blocking grade ranks among the worst in the game this year, such metrics should always be taken with a big grain of salt and he had his best season in Kubiak’s offense while working with Benton last year, scoring a top-20 mark of 70.5 in the zone blocking department. Still just 26 years old, the former first round pick out of Michigan has flashed his potential when in the right scheme to fit his elite athletic profile, and he has affordable cap hits under $10 million in 2026 and 2027. Pairing his youth with a team-friendly contract for a long-term starter, a Day 2 selection sent to New Orleans could be well worth the price to take the offensive line to another level.
Honorable Mention: Rashid Shaheed, WR
Arizona Cardinals (2-4) – Calais Campbell, DE
Trades with the NFC West rarely happen, especially in the heat of the season. With that said, the Seahawks reportedly tried to sign Campbell in free agency before the ageless wonder went back to the Cardinals, and with this potentially being his final season, he would surely jump at the chance to compete for a Super Bowl going to a division rival. The 39-year old has 17 pressures, three sacks, and five tackles for loss in seven games, showing he still packs a mean punch. Capable of playing multiple spots at a high level, putting him on a defensive line already featuring Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, and Jarran Reed would make murderer’s row all the more frightening for opponents, and acquiring him wouldn’t require more than a sixth round pick at this stage of his career. Schneider probably doesn’t have other general managers in the division on speed dial, but this would be a deal that makes sense for both teams if Arizona continues to fall further in the standings in the next few weeks.
Honorable Mention: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
