After rumors swirled for weeks about DK Metcalf’s future with the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the star receiver had requested a trade.
It wasn’t welcome news, considering the Seahawks announced they’d released Tyler Lockett about thirty minutes prior.
A free agent who could help Seahawks fill void at WR
The silver lining: this year’s market could net Seattle a hefty trade return for Metcalf. It’s not an especially strong free agent class for receivers, with 32-year-old Davante Adams and 31-year-old Stefon Diggs were leading the charge there. Nor are there surefire first-round picks. That leaves the Seahawks with the potential to pull of a huge deal.
But with whom? And will it be worth it?
Potential DK Metcalf landing spots
• Chargers
This one feels like an obvious pick, though FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz did report the Chargers had already quietly been pursuing Metcalf as part of a trade but were “rebuffed” by Seattle.
Maybe they revisit those talks. They’re a receiver-needy team with salary cap space (around $60 million) to get a long-term extension done. They’ve got pick No. 22 overall in next month’s NFL Draft, one they were likely to use on a pass catcher, and pick No. 55 in the second round. Metcalf’s former receivers coach Sanjay Lal is now in the same position with the Chargers and, per Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta, Metcalf has spent recent offseasons in LA.
A move to LA for Metcalf wouldn’t net the Seahawks a high first- or second-rounder, but it would keep him out of the NFC.
• Patriots
The Patriots have more cap space than any other team and few weapons with which to surround Drake Maye.
NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry wrote the Pats “will do whatever they can to get a real WR1” and added “one person told me they heard the Patriots called Philly asking if A.J. Brown was available.”
Look. If the Patriots were actually trying to pry Brown away from the Eagles, they would’ve been open to offering a rich deal. Would that have included No. 4 overall? A pick swap?
It’s not likely, but hoping for a second rounder at the very least is more than fair.
“I think if it’s less than a second rounder, it’s probably not worth doing,” ESPN’s Mina Kimes told us Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy. “So, I’ll start there. I think a first rounder might be wishful thinking because of the looming contract extension. We’ll see. I would also be interested in players.”
More: Mina Kimes weighs in on Seahawks’ Metcalf, Lockett news
New England does own a high second round pick at No. 35 overall.
• Bills
Josh Allen had his best season after the team traded Stefon Diggs to the Texans (turns out that wasn’t quite as impactful as we thought it would be), but they haven’t necessarily filled out that WR room yet either.
The Bills just signed their leading receiver Khalil Shakir to an extension, and last spring they drafted Keon Coleman as their primary ‘X’ receiver. He put together a promising rookie season, but adding a matchup nightmare veteran to the outside would be more than tempting for a player like Allen. The Bills would need to straighten out their cap to get an extension done, but wouldn’t balk at trading a late first rounder (No. 30 overall).
• Steelers
A team with the cap space to get a deal done and a first rounder they might be willing to part ways with (No. 21 overall). The Seahawks get two first round picks and the Steelers add to a wide receiver group lacking depth behind George Pickens.
The question that follows: Does that also mean re-signing Russell Wilson?
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Salk: There’s a lot to unpack with Seahawks and DK
• Where Seattle Seahawks’ salary cap situation now stands
• 49ers DB takes weird shot at JSN after reported DK trade request
• What’s next for Seahawks icon Lockett? Perhaps a Carroll reunion
• Why did DK request trade from Seattle Seahawks? Bump’s take
