Seahawks trade Ugo Amadi to Eagles and why it doesn’t matter
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks made a bit of minor news today by trading failed slot corner experiment Ugo Amadi to the Eagles. But Seattle basically got nothing in return.
Earlier in the day, Brady Henderson reported that the Seahawks were going to release Amadi as part of the initial cuts – 90 to 85 – that have to happen by tomorrow. No surprise. Amadi has basically been the starter at slot corner the last two seasons because the team had no choice after Marquise Blair was injured. But per the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Seattle simply traded Amadi instead.
Per Pro Football Focus, Amadi had an overall grade of 43.7 in 2021. That was next-to-worst in the NFL. The sad part is that the only reason his grade was even that high was that he had “earned” a 78.5 pass rush grade. Somehow and some way because Amadi did not record a sack or a quarterback hit so his pass rush grade is meaningless.
It made sense for the Seahawks to release him, especially after drafting Coby Bryant and signing Justin Coleman. There was simply no room for Amadi. But trading him is as good as a release.
Seahawks trade cornerback Ugo Amadi to the Eagles
But who did Seattle get back in the trade to the Eagles for Amadi? Wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. He has spent three seasons in the NFL and his last name has one less letter than Arcega-Whiteside has receptions in his career. Three seasons, 40 games, 35 targets and 16 receptions. He did happen to score a touchdown in 2019, though.
The bad part is that Arcega-Whiteside was a second-round pick in 2019 so he can be labeled a bust. And there really isn’t room for him n the Seahawks roster. He is 6’2″ and 225 pounds but without the speed to break away from cornerbacks and without the sure hands to catch 50 percent of his targets in his career.
Next. Seahawks should re-sign Richard Sherman. dark
It appears that all the Seahawks and Eagles did today was swap players who won’t make their active rosters in 2022. So I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained? But there appears to be no positive outcome here for either Amadi or Arcega-Whiteside.