Seahawks should think about trading for A.J. Green

Perhaps the Seahawks biggest weakness is at wide receiver. Thankfully, a great one could be made available via trade in a few weeks.

Let’s not pretend the Seahawks are unaware of their need at wide receiver. Pete Carroll himself admitted that the team was quite interested in Antonio Brown before he signed with the Patriots. He knows the group they have now isn’t good enough.

Of course, the great game from DK Metcalf helps ease some concerns. David Moore will be back in the next few weeks and that can help too. But in their 21-20 victory over the Bengals, Seahawks wideouts combined for just 5 catches, so help outside is needed whether Metcalf breaks out and Moore can return healthy.

Thankfully for the Seahawks and their fans, Seattle has one of the most aggressive GM’s in the game and a plethora of draft capital to work with. And as it just so happens, one of the games’ premier outside threats could very well be available via trade in just a few weeks. That player is none other than Cincinnati Bengals WR, A.J. Green.

You know who A.J. Green is, right? You know, the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft? The 31-year-old, 6’4″ wideout with 7 pro bowl appearances? Yeah, that guy. The Bengals have a new head coach, a new system, recently paid Tyler Boyd, seem perfectly willing to use John Ross, and put up yards without Green in week 1.

Now, there is little chatter that the Bengals are actively looking to trade Green, but it does make sense. Green is in the final year of his deal and has been dealing with injuries the past 4 seasons. If they don’t think they will re-sign him, then logically they should look to deal him. But what would that cost?

Well, last season, we saw Golden Tate get dealt from the Detroit Lions to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 3rd round pick. Tate was also in the final year of his deal, so both players were/would be rentals. However, there are a few key differences between the situations.

First, the Lions dealt Tate while they were still in a playoff race. Detroit had the leverage of keeping him and taking their chances. The Bengals are unlikely to be in the same situation. Second, Tate has been an extremely durable player where Green hasn’t. Availability, or lack thereof, drives down value.

Consider that Antonio Brown went for a 3rd and a 5th this off-season. Now Brown is just flat out better than Green and Tate and is more durable than Green (although Brown’s baggage is a lot different).

With all that in mind, a third-round pick seems like the absolute ceiling for Green. Which begs the question: is he worth it? Let’s assume the Seahawks get Green for half the season in which he has to learn a new playbook and develop chemistry quickly with Russell Wilson. Keep in mind, Wilson and Green have played in a few pro bowls together, for what that’s worth.

How much damage could he rack up in 8-10 games? Well last season, he played in 9 games and posted 46 catches for 694 yards and 6 TDs. He is a red zone threat, a good teammate, and can draw attention away from Tyler Lockett and Metcalf as well.

Imagine a 3 WR set with Metcalf and Green outside and Tyler Lockett playing the slot. This complements the run game as well. Trading a third-round pick probably gets a deal done, but snagging him for a fourth and a 2021 pick could also be in the cards.

And don’t forget, John Schneider is willing to trade players in these deals as well, as he did in the Jimmy Graham trade, and more recently, in the Jadeveon Clowney trade. If Seattle did forfeit a third-round pick, they would still recoup a draft pick in 2021 if Green signed elsewhere.

But if A.J. Green has interest in Seattle as a free agent, knowing how he would work in your locker room and with your QB could be an added benefit of trading for him now. Seattle needs help outside. Pete Carroll knows it. John Schneider knows it. And you know it.

Is there a risk in trading a third-round pick for Green? Yes. Is there a risk that not adding WR help dooms a team with the talent to win a Super Bowl? Also yes. Should the Seahawks trade for A.J. Green? You tell me: are they a super bowl contender? If the answer to the second question is yes then you have your answer to the first question as well.