Should the Seahawks look to trade for star WR AJ Green?

With the Seahawks offensive play caller Brian Schottenheimer finally starting to switch up the play calling, it seems the team could benefit from an acquisition of the Cincinnati Bengals star wide out AJ Green.

The Seahawks are finally starting to utilize the passing game in a more efficient manner, further unleashing Russell Wilson on opposing defenses. In years past it was a consistent struggle watching the drives continuously end in a flop with the old run-run-pass-punt combo.

Who is A.J. Green?

To begin with, Green was the number 4 overall pick out of Georgia back in the 2011 NFL draft. Through his 8-year career he has proven to be one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league. During that span he has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all but 2 seasons, 2016 and 2018, which were lost to injuries. A.J. Green is an elite athlete who possesses every trait you hope for in a wide receiver. Standing at 6’4”, 210 pounds he is explosive, with excellent acceleration ability and fluid movements. On top of all of that, Green is also arguably one of the best route runners in the NFL. Combined, these attributes make for a defensive back’s nightmare.. So with that being said, what would A.J. cost us in a trade scenario?

My Seahawks proposed trade:

Seahawks receive:

A.J. Green

2020 4th round pick

Bengals receive:

2020 2nd round pick (KC pick)

Why this trade makes sense for both parties:

Seahawks: This team has elite potential at the wide receiver position. However, outside of Tyler Lockett and Will Dissly, no receiver has caught more than 4 catches in a game despite an increase in pass attempts. Given that Green and DK Metcalf have very similar physical abilities it could prove helpful to the young wide out to sit behind Green for a year. This would allow him the ability to learn how to use his physical gifts more efficiently behind one of the best in the league.

To date, Metcalf’s catch percentage sits at a team low of 46%. Part of this is due to the type of throws he is getting in 50/50 balls; the other part is due to poor footwork. No one can deny the talent the young wide out possesses but giving Metcalf a redshirt year to really hone his skills could prove to be exactly what he needs.

Bengals: A.J. Green has been out since the preseason after undergoing ankle surgery. If all continues to go well rehabbing, he should be back around mid-season. Through the first 4 games, Cincinnati has seen two of their young wide outs in Tyler Boyd and John Ross III blossom into good, maybe even great receivers. With the season already derailed at an 0-4 start, the Bengals should focus on the future by continuing to groom their young receivers; instead of taking reps away with a seasoned veteran who is on the tail end of his career.

The Bengals appear to be a top 5 draft pick contender this year, it would behoove them to look into stock piling as much 2020 draft capital as possible to rebuild the team, especially with such a promising draft class to choose from. AJ Green is also on the last year of his contract, therefore, trading him and a 4th round pick for a 2nd round pick would far surpass any comp pick that could be acquired after free agency if he were to walk.

The Verdict:

Point: I don’t know how likely it is that this trade actually comes to fruition, it would deplete our cap space to just about $6.5 million with nothing set aside for injuries.

Counterpoint: It would be an instant boost to our offense and catapult our team into Superbowl contention.

A.J. Green has been known to be a high character player and could do wonders for our young team in the locker room and on the practice field. Last preseason, wide receiver Brandon Marshall spent countless hours coaching up cornerback Tre Flowers on the finer details of how to read a route.

In turn, Flowers surpassed anyone’s wildest dreams for the safety-corner convert who was thrusted into a start role due to injuries. Green could have the same impact for players such as Flowers, Amadi, Metcalf, Moore and Penny. This would be worth a phone call to see what the price would be for the star wide out.