Seahawks should change past and trade up for Bradley Chubb
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks swear they are not doing a rebuild. But if they aren’t, they need a slightly new outlook of how to get aggressive in making 2018 great. Instead of trading down in the NFL Draft, why not trade up for Bradley Chubb?
12s all know what the Seahawks like to do. Seattle trades down and, most of the time, out of the first round. In 2018, general manager John Schneider will be walking a thin line. He currently has no second or third round draft picks. Seattle has the number 18 pick in the first round, but after that…crickets…
The Seahawks appear to have a diminished team in 2018 compared to what Seattle fans have expected in the last several years. Gone are players like Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett. And maybe Kam Chancellor will be too. Replacing these players so far are not stars but more role players. Seattle needs help at cornerback. But they especially need help with pass rushers.
Seattle says they are not doing a rebuild but a reload. If this is the case, Seattle cannot wait on later draft picks. They need to be aggressive this year, much more so than in previous years. And what they need is a player like Bradley Chubb.
The Cleveland Browns currently hold the numbers one and four picks in this year’s draft. Plus, they have three picks in the second round. If the Seahawks were truly thinking of trading Earl Thomas, this may be the time to work something out with Cleveland.
Chubb is not likely to go in the first three picks. But after that, Seattle risks not moving up to grab him. Seattle has never needed pass rushers more. The only proven player on the roster is Frank Clark. And Clark is a free agent after 2018. Chubb is the kind of player who could be a cornerstone for the next several seasons.
Chubb not only has speed – he ran a 4.6 at the NFL combine – but he is a perfect fit for Seattle’s 4-3 defense (really Seattle runs a 4-2-5). The North Carolina State player is a difference maker. And he is good enough for Seattle to make a trade to move up.
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Really, 2018 might be a bit of a lost year for the Seahawks. But adding players like Chubb makes 2019 and beyond much much better.