5 reasons Seahawks are not going to trade DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett

Reason No. 4 - DK Metcalf is too valuable long term

DK Metcalf is only 26 years old and won't turn 30 until late in the 2027 season. He is also a bigger target who should be able to remain a high-level target as opposed to a smaller receiver who relies much more on quickness to get open. Metcalf's strength is as much of a factor in his success as his straight-ahead speed.

For instance, in the Seahawks' Week 15 comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, Metcalf caught a deep sideline pass when he was double-covered. A physically weaker receiver does not make that same kind of play.

Seattle would save a lot of money by trading Metcalf, but would any player they would get back or add with a future draft pick be as good as Metcalf? There is no reason to trade a player, if the team is not forced to by budgetary reasons and Seattle isn't, who is definitely going to help the team in return for taking a chance on a player or players who might not help as much?

Reason No. 5 - Seahawks can win with both in 2024

This last bit goes back to the depth question. Second-year player Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still trying to prove he will be a very good receiver. He probably will, but he had only 628 yards receiving in 2023 and to be a truly dangerous threat, his production needs to be closer to 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. He might reach those numbers this year, but 12s cannot be too sure.

JSN is WR3 for Seattle right now while Metcalf is WR1 and Lockett WR2. Removing Lockett or Metcalf and elevating JSN to WR2 weakens one of the groups of strength for Seattle this year. For the offense to reach maximum efficiency, the Seahawks need Metcalf, Lockett, and Smith-Njigba on the team. Losing one of the first two is nonsensical.

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