Examining what a Seahawks trade for DE Yannick Ngakoue could look like
By Geoff Shull
Where Seahawks are currently and where they could be post-trade in terms of salary cap
In order for any deal to be finalized, it is imperative that Seattle is able to stay below the salary cap. Lets dive into where the team would be before the trade, and after for each trade scenario:
Before the trade:
Cap space: $14.6 million
Draft pool: $6.6 million
Practice Squad: $2.2 million
Injury Reserve: $2.5 million
“True Cap” $3.3 million
Trade scenario 1: After the trade (with McDougald included):
Cap space: $8.45 million
Draft pool: $5.6 million
Practice Squad: $2.2 million
Injury Reserve: $2.5 million
“True Cap” -$1.85 million
Trade scenario 2: After the trade (with traded picks in 2020 and 2021):
Cap space: $4.35 million
Draft pool: $5.6 million
Practice Squad: $2.2 million
Injury Reserve: $2.5 million
“True Cap” -$5.95 million
In either scenario, Seattle would end up in the negative in terms of true cap space. Moves would need to be had to ensure this transaction could be completed. It could be as simple as moving down from pick 27 in the draft ($2.27 million cap hit) to pick 39 in the draft (save $800k in cap space) plus a small move like releasing defensive end Brandon Jackson ($2.1 million).
Or It could be as big as restructuring Russell Wilson’s contract and freeing upwards of $13 million in 2020 cap space. They could also release a handful of expensive veterans like Justin Britt ($8.5 million), KJ Wright ($7.5 million) or DJ Fluker ($3.6 million). Regardless what the move is, all I’m trying to say is that the salary cap is very malleable and if Seattle wanted to pull this off, they could.
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Whether the want is there, that is a completely different question. I for one am skeptical about a trade actually coming to fruition. Seattle was been reluctant in signing homegrown talent Frank Clark to a deal north of $20 million. More recently, they have refused to pay Jadeveon Clowney the going rate. It seems unlikely they trade for an unknown entity to pay the premium in both draft capital and salary cap; even if the talent is there. Of course, John Schneider is very aggressive in the trade market. Anything could happen, so long as the price is right.