5 Trade Scenarios Seahawks Should Consider Prior to Start of Training Camp
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Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson could be traded before training camp opens. Will the Seattle Seahawks be interested? [/caption]
With a month still left to go until the Seattle Seahawks and the rest of the NFL kicks off training camps, it’s speculation season with trade rumors aplenty, including pondering what will be next for disgruntled stars such as Cincinnati Bengals pass rushing phenom Trey Hendrickson and Miami Dolphins multi-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
In the past, Seahawks general manager John Schneider hasn’t been afraid to wheel and deal during the “dead” period between OTAs and training camp, including trading multiple first-round picks to the Jets for safety Jamal Adams in July 2020. While a deal of that magnitude happening again remains highly unlikely, if improbable, with players the caliber of Hendrickson and Ramsey still being dangled as possible trade chips, there’s no question the long-time executive will be working the phones to see if he can find the right deal to further improve his roster prior to the start of the 2025 season.
Which potential trades could Seattle swing in the next four weeks and change? After speaking with sources connected to five different teams regarding five players who could be available, here are five proposals for deals - and alternate offers - Schneider could sign off on to further bolster the roster before camp:
Proposal #1: Seahawks trade 2026 second-round pick to Bengals for Trey Hendrickson
With Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall all set to return and four-time Pro Bowler Demarcus Lawrence added in free agency, the Seahawks already have a formidable edge rushing group that stacks up nicely against most of the NFC. But there’s no such thing as having too many pass rushers and few players have been better at getting after the quarterback than Hendrickson, who has eclipsed 17 sacks each of the past two seasons, has amassed a remarkable 373 pressures and 70 quarterback hits since 2020, and has generated 12 forced fumbles over the previous four years.
Some may view this as a deal that wouldn’t move the needle much due to the talent already on the roster at the position, but the Seahawks haven’t had an edge rusher reach double digit sacks since Frank Clark back in 2018. Hendrickson has achieved the feat four times in the past five years. This trade would be contingent on paying the All-Pro top money after dealing away a high pick to acquire him, so the cost would be a hefty one on both fronts. However, Schneider has the cap flexibility to do so without compromising the ability to extend several of their 2022 draft picks as well, making this a swing for the fence that would well worth it to transform Seattle’s defense from a top-10 unit into potentially the best in the NFL.
Source Says: “The Bengals aren’t interested in moving Hendrickson yet and have stayed steadfast in readiness to play hard ball with him still having a year left on his contract. He’s training here [in Cincinnati] too, so he may be accepting a trade out of town is not happening either. They would need to be blown away to change their stance, but this is fluid in every sense of the word. Seahawks might be a team that can get it to finish line.”
Alternative Offer: Seahawks trade 2026 third-round pick and Uchenna Nwosu to Bengals for Hendrickson and 2026 sixth-round pick
Proposal #2: Seahawks trade 2026 fifth-round pick to Dolphins for Jalen Ramsey
If Seattle isn’t interested in parting ways with a high draft choice for a player such as Hendrickson, they have other intriguing options to continuing reinforcing their defense that should come at a cheaper cost, starting with the pursuit of a former divisional rival in Ramsey. Miami hasn’t been quiet about intentions for moving the veteran cornerback, who carries a $16 million cap hit in 2025 and will turn 31 years old in October.
At that price point, with Ramsey clearly no longer in the prime of his career as a top-five caliber corner, the Seahawks wouldn’t want to take on such a large cap hit. However, the Dolphins would have to eat more than half of that, making him quite affordable at a $6 million hit for next season. Only two years removed from his most recent Pro Bowl and still a quality starter with excellent ball skills, pairing him with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen would be an upgrade over Josh Jobe and give Macdonald no shortage of riches in the secondary to work with in nickel and dime packages without breaking the bank or having to give up significant draft capital as compensation.
Source Says: “Ramsey still wants to be the alpha and carries that mentality with him. That may be the biggest reason he has yet to be moved, because the chance to be No. 1 somewhere else hasn’t emerged. Minnesota seems like a spot to watch, but if the player is willing to step down from his perch wanting to be the lead dog, Seattle makes sense. Macdonald would love his charisma and confidence.”
Alternative Offer: Seahawks trade Noah Fant and 2026 seventh-round pick to Dolphins for Ramsey and 2027 sixth-round pick
Proposal #3: Seahawks trade Christian Haynes and 2026 fifth-round pick to Saints for Cesar Ruiz
Investing a first round pick in Grey Zabel in April, the Seahawks may be perfectly content rolling into a new season with the current offensive line as constructed. However, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and offensive line coach John Benton oversaw Ruiz’s best season as a pro in New Orleans last season and the Saints continue to deal with salary cap issues, which could make moving the former first-round pick a possibility for the right offer to reunite with the coaches in the Pacific Northwest.
An elite athlete for the interior offensive line, Ruiz struggled in his first few seasons after being a center at Michigan, but he emerged as one of the better zone blockers in the NFC in his lone season working with Benton and he’s still only 26 years old. Due to his youth and the fact he signed a new contract early in the 2023 season, the Saints won’t be giving him away for nothing, but a package including another young guard with upside in Haynes and a day three pick may be enough to entice an organization that needs to make some tough decisions to help clean up their cap situation for the future. If Schneider is willing to dig into his day two picks, a pick swap may be a possibility as well to give the Seahawks an upgrade across from Zabel.
Source Says: “For all the chatter of the Saints needing to trim fat off the cap, I do not foresee them doing that by trading away any young cornerstones. Ruiz is still that dude. Coming from Philly, [Kellen] Moore won’t take the offensive line lightly either. Can’t see him being on board with a deal, but if the Seahawks gave them a Godfather offer, who knows?”
Alternative Offer: Seahawks trade 2026 third-round pick to Saints for Ruiz and 2026 seventh-round pick
Proposal #4: Seahawks trade 2026 fourth-round pick to Packers for Christian Watson and 2026 sixth-round pick
All things considered, the Seahawks did a decent job rounding out their receiving corps after trading DK Metcalf to the Steelers and releasing Tyler Lockett, quickly signing Rams castoff Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to free agent deals to pair with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But even if Kupp returns to his prior 1,000-yard form, he’s not a speedster who wins downfield and Kubiak could use another burner with vertical capabilities to stretch out opposing defenses, making Watson a fascinating target to keep an eye on.
When Watson has been healthy, he’s been a prolific downfield target, including averaging a gaudy 21.4 yards per reception last season before going down with a torn ACL. He’s also been money producing points on the scoreboard, turning 14 of his 98 career receptions into touchdowns in three NFL seasons. Unfortunately, health has been a major issue for him and the Packers used their first round pick in April on speedy Matthew Golden and also selected Savion Williams in the third round, a sign that they may be ready to move on from the former North Dakota State star. Depending on his recovery, with Schneider having a strong relationship with Green Bay’s front office, dealing an early day three pick to bring the athletic Watson on board would make a ton of sense for Seattle. Romeo Doubs, another receiver on the final year of his contract, also could be had potentially for a bit less in return.
Source Says: “I don’t think [the Packers] would be opposed if they got the right deal, but [Matt] LaFleur loves him. They don’t know if Golden can recreate what Watson does for the offense yet either. [Romeo] Doubs is still the more likely trade target.”
Alternative Offer: Seahawks trade 2026 sixth-round pick to Packers for Romeo Doubs
Proposal #5: Seahawks trade 2026 fourth-round pick to Cowboys for Mazi Smith and 2026 seventh-round pick
When the Cowboys used a first-round pick on the 337-pound Smith two years ago, they believed they were adding a disruptive nose tackle who would make an immediate impact as a run defender and pass rusher. But the ex-Michigan standout has yet to come close to living up to expectations, producing a mere eight pressures on 243 pass rushing snaps while receiving a dismal 35.9 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, creating questions about his future with the franchise as a new coaching staff takes over.
With Smith just turning 24 in early June, Dallas may not be inclined to give up on him just yet, hoping he takes a massive jump forward in his third season. But at the same time, he’s been such a disappointment to this point that the team used a seventh-round pick on UCLA’s Jay Toia, who would be a natural fit to step in as an early down nose tackle at a fraction of the cost. A change of scenery could be exactly what Smith needs and pairing him with Macdonald, who coached him in Ann Arbor as Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021, as well as defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who coached him as a rookie in 2023, would present the best opportunity for him to turn the corner and get his career back on track with the Seahawks.
Source Says: “Depends how this new coaching staff views Mazi. But Jerry [Jones] and his entourage will move on from a player regardless of where they were picked though. Look no further than Taco Charlton, who was putrid for two years before getting the ax when they could not watch his pathetic play any longer. If they can get a pick [for Smith], they might do jumping jacks in Jerry’s office.”
Alternative Offer: Seahawks trade 2026 fourth-round pick to Cowboys for Smith and Damone Clark
