Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider isn't afraid to take chances on offensive linemen late in the NFL draft. Many don't work out, but every once in a while, a decent player is found. For instance, Michael Jerrell was a sixth-round pick in 2024 who likely was never going to play.
That was until he was forced to play. Due to so many injuries at right tackle, which included starter Abraham Lucas not yet ready to play and 2024 free agent acquisition George Fant getting hurt in Week 1, Jerrell played after third-string Stone Forythe was dinged up.
Was the sixth-round pick great? No, but he was a lot better than expected. He was exceptionally good against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11 and quite good against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18.
Seattle Seahawks trade Michael Jerrell to the Atlanta Falcons
But Lucas is healthy again and is absolutely going to start in 2025. Plus, the Seahawks signed swing tackle Josh Jones in free agency. Jerrell didn't have a home spot and was likely going to be released. Instead, his career might have been saved by a trade that John Schneider was able to pull off on Tuesday.
Seattle is sending Jerrell to the Atlanta Falcons for a conditional seventh-round choice in 2027. If the offensive tackle doesn't stick with Atlanta, Seattle won't receive any compensation, but that isn't truly the important thing.
Trade! The #Seahawks are sending OT Michael Jerrell to the #Falcons for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick, per source. pic.twitter.com/YHsQBUr0AI
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2025
What is easy to forget when roster cuts are made is that lots of people are losing their jobs, and lots of dreams are being dashed. Many kids grow up hoping to play in the NFL. Michael Jerrell played college at little-known Findlay. He was a long shot to ever make a roster.
Instead, he worked extremely hard in 2024, proved to the Seahawks that he was a risk worth taking, and found some playing time. He might not ever be a Pro Bowler, but as a player we can likely all appreciate, we can hope that Jerrell makes the Falcons and sticks around the league for a while.
For the Seattle Seahawks, if they are able to use the seventh-round pick in 2027, great. Maybe the team will find another player who works as hard as Michael Jerrell.