Trading for Smith would require measuring the actual cost of getting him vs. the opportunity cost of filling other spots with the picks traded. If it's a 1st and 2nd, what won't they be able to get in next year's draft? Clear needs: QB, WR, Edge. Possible needs based on performance this year: CB, DL, G, C. Got to figure there's no need (at this point) to draft S, TE, RB, T, If they trade 2 picks in the top 50 or so, that leaves 2 to fill 3 clear holes, unless multiple Edge guys step up or Eskridge magically stays healthy and is productive. It's a tough call. I'm drooling over the potential of having easily the best middle of the defense in the league with Roquan, Brooks, Quandre and Adams. If they could get away with only sending a 1st, another lower pick and Barton, that's a no-brainer. A 1st and 2nd or better gives me pause just because of those gaping wide holes on the team.
My instinct is that this is the kind of trade that reveals impatience, of which the Adams trade was a sterling example. I'd prefer to get through this season and load up on comparatively cheap, young talent in the draft. Those first 4-5 years of a rookie's career are really where you need to cash in on talent to build a deep team. It was one thing to do the Adams deal with Wilson on the team, but it would be another with Smith and Lock. Until I get sold on a QB's talent and potential, mortgaging the draft for big money free agents makes me queasy.
I would stay away from this trade. Smith is just trying to generate some movement on the Bears side. Brooks is not to distant for a new big contract and Seattle has other needs in next years draft. One area Seattle has done okay with in the draft is LB. Wright and Wagner were long term and I think Brooks and Barton will both be around for awhile. I can see Barton having a pretty good year and signing to a more reasonable contract next year. Seattle will have some draft capital and FA money next year to upgrade if they deem it necessary. I think Seattle should shoot for a 2023 roster positioning with youth and keep their FA money to add specific pieces next year and a move toward the playoffs.
On a side note I would expect Brown to probably sign with the Jets this week given the loss of Becton and other injuries in their tackle depth.
To me, it depends upon what you have to give up, player and draft wise. The money you can figure out, but if you just have to give a Barton and say a second rounder, or combination of lower picks, then I think it’s worth it. If it’s a first and second, at that price, I’d let Barton see what he could do with a full season worth of play.
Absolutely no, no and no please! I will have to disagree with you for first time here, Ken!
I’m not sure linebackers without top rushing skills is worth investing in the 3-4 defense. If we didn’t have Brooks or Barton, then I could see it. Barton supposedly has good coverage skills. No one who is sane would argue that Smith is not a better linebacker than those two. But $20 mm plus 1st and 2nd picks cost too much for the margin of difference or differential between him vs Brooks and Barton. You had even mentioned that it may not even impact the Hawks wins and loss record. We need to get players at positions that can tilt wins and losses.
Save all those picks and money for QB and DE. Otherwise end up like Jamal Adams trade!
He's definitely worth a 1st and a 2nd. But the Rams have showed us that skimping at ILB and splurging elsewhere is a winning proposition. Of course, LA is a destination, so they don't splurge that much.
The bigger issue is salary. Smith will elevate our game, but I'm afraid that the burden on the cap will tie our hands for our expected peak of 2023-2025.
My Adams trade PTSD is getting triggered :) Given the last draft's OUTSTANDING results, those 1st and 2nd round picks are looking like gold, so I'm leaning against giving up too much draft capital. Interesting discussion to have, though!
A lot of the trades you've mentioned of the past happened when the Seahawks felt that had a strong team and wanted to make the additional push with various additions. I feel like they really want to take this year to develop their talents and see what they have in some of their draft picks, like Barton. I personally always wanted to see Blair in SS, and Barton at LB when we drafted them, but they never got the opportunity to do so.
I think you make a ton of good points about the connection and the overall talent so I can certainly see the Seahawks trading for them. Personally though, I'd like to see Barton play, because I think he can be a pretty solid player in the league
I don’t think the FO will go there. Barton is is serviceable (and might be more than that, he’s unexposed so far), is also 25 and is set to earn less than $1m a year, so that’s a lot of cap and draft capital to invest in the performance upgrade Smith offers (and depth I suppose, we are thin there). Most of their big FA acquisitions have been of the ‘major hole to fill’ variety, or offer something extraordinary that Pete just can’t resist.
Anyway, two firsts/two seconds come around once in a blue moon - I’m hoping they don’t ruin our ever draft just yet !
While I'd love to have Smith and feel he could be a defensive cornerstone for years to come, that asking price is too rich for my blood. It's mostly positional. When you're going to have to give up major assets AND pay a top salary, that player had better be a QB or elite at getting to the QB.
A first and a second and a top contract? I'd have to say no. We just let Bobby Wagner of all people walk, and he was slated to earn less money than Smith will surely cost.
A first and a second plus $20M is way too much for a team in rebuilding mode. Smith isn't that big a difference maker. I don't see the value and would lose some of my excitement for the team if this trade was made. A lot of my excitement.
Trading for Smith would require measuring the actual cost of getting him vs. the opportunity cost of filling other spots with the picks traded. If it's a 1st and 2nd, what won't they be able to get in next year's draft? Clear needs: QB, WR, Edge. Possible needs based on performance this year: CB, DL, G, C. Got to figure there's no need (at this point) to draft S, TE, RB, T, If they trade 2 picks in the top 50 or so, that leaves 2 to fill 3 clear holes, unless multiple Edge guys step up or Eskridge magically stays healthy and is productive. It's a tough call. I'm drooling over the potential of having easily the best middle of the defense in the league with Roquan, Brooks, Quandre and Adams. If they could get away with only sending a 1st, another lower pick and Barton, that's a no-brainer. A 1st and 2nd or better gives me pause just because of those gaping wide holes on the team.
My instinct is that this is the kind of trade that reveals impatience, of which the Adams trade was a sterling example. I'd prefer to get through this season and load up on comparatively cheap, young talent in the draft. Those first 4-5 years of a rookie's career are really where you need to cash in on talent to build a deep team. It was one thing to do the Adams deal with Wilson on the team, but it would be another with Smith and Lock. Until I get sold on a QB's talent and potential, mortgaging the draft for big money free agents makes me queasy.
I would stay away from this trade. Smith is just trying to generate some movement on the Bears side. Brooks is not to distant for a new big contract and Seattle has other needs in next years draft. One area Seattle has done okay with in the draft is LB. Wright and Wagner were long term and I think Brooks and Barton will both be around for awhile. I can see Barton having a pretty good year and signing to a more reasonable contract next year. Seattle will have some draft capital and FA money next year to upgrade if they deem it necessary. I think Seattle should shoot for a 2023 roster positioning with youth and keep their FA money to add specific pieces next year and a move toward the playoffs.
On a side note I would expect Brown to probably sign with the Jets this week given the loss of Becton and other injuries in their tackle depth.
To me, it depends upon what you have to give up, player and draft wise. The money you can figure out, but if you just have to give a Barton and say a second rounder, or combination of lower picks, then I think it’s worth it. If it’s a first and second, at that price, I’d let Barton see what he could do with a full season worth of play.
Absolutely no, no and no please! I will have to disagree with you for first time here, Ken!
I’m not sure linebackers without top rushing skills is worth investing in the 3-4 defense. If we didn’t have Brooks or Barton, then I could see it. Barton supposedly has good coverage skills. No one who is sane would argue that Smith is not a better linebacker than those two. But $20 mm plus 1st and 2nd picks cost too much for the margin of difference or differential between him vs Brooks and Barton. You had even mentioned that it may not even impact the Hawks wins and loss record. We need to get players at positions that can tilt wins and losses.
Save all those picks and money for QB and DE. Otherwise end up like Jamal Adams trade!
He's definitely worth a 1st and a 2nd. But the Rams have showed us that skimping at ILB and splurging elsewhere is a winning proposition. Of course, LA is a destination, so they don't splurge that much.
The bigger issue is salary. Smith will elevate our game, but I'm afraid that the burden on the cap will tie our hands for our expected peak of 2023-2025.
Overall I would have to say no, as tempting as it would be to pair Smith up with Brooks, for these reasons:
1. Edge pass rushing would still be the top priority on D until the new additions this year have been assessed in game action.
2. The draft capital is still best held in reserve for the QB class next year, unless Lock shows out in a way we don't expect.
Still an interesting thought experiment if nothing else!
My Adams trade PTSD is getting triggered :) Given the last draft's OUTSTANDING results, those 1st and 2nd round picks are looking like gold, so I'm leaning against giving up too much draft capital. Interesting discussion to have, though!
A lot of the trades you've mentioned of the past happened when the Seahawks felt that had a strong team and wanted to make the additional push with various additions. I feel like they really want to take this year to develop their talents and see what they have in some of their draft picks, like Barton. I personally always wanted to see Blair in SS, and Barton at LB when we drafted them, but they never got the opportunity to do so.
I think you make a ton of good points about the connection and the overall talent so I can certainly see the Seahawks trading for them. Personally though, I'd like to see Barton play, because I think he can be a pretty solid player in the league
I don’t think the FO will go there. Barton is is serviceable (and might be more than that, he’s unexposed so far), is also 25 and is set to earn less than $1m a year, so that’s a lot of cap and draft capital to invest in the performance upgrade Smith offers (and depth I suppose, we are thin there). Most of their big FA acquisitions have been of the ‘major hole to fill’ variety, or offer something extraordinary that Pete just can’t resist.
Anyway, two firsts/two seconds come around once in a blue moon - I’m hoping they don’t ruin our ever draft just yet !
Hard no. We need our picks for a QB and WR1
While I'd love to have Smith and feel he could be a defensive cornerstone for years to come, that asking price is too rich for my blood. It's mostly positional. When you're going to have to give up major assets AND pay a top salary, that player had better be a QB or elite at getting to the QB.
I would give it a big yes, even though I think our pick from Denver will be better than most. I put Denver as the 7th seed in the AFC.
No matter, we won a championship built on one of the best defenses ever. You don't get a nickname, Legion of Boom unless your elite.
There is just as many reasons the Hawks could take McCaaaw in round 2 or 3.
One caviet give up the Broncos first pick but try to hold onto the round 2 pick. I am sure this is the delema for the Seahawks.
A good cover linebacker would go a long way to making Seattle a top 5 defense. We can still play 3 safeties and be even more effective
A first and a second and a top contract? I'd have to say no. We just let Bobby Wagner of all people walk, and he was slated to earn less money than Smith will surely cost.
Absolutely positively NO!!!
A first and a second plus $20M is way too much for a team in rebuilding mode. Smith isn't that big a difference maker. I don't see the value and would lose some of my excitement for the team if this trade was made. A lot of my excitement.
N O ! !
I feel real possessive of our draft picks.
If we can do as well in ‘23 as we did in ‘24 drafting we will have NO holes in our team!!!
Besides I thought our bourbon line backers were fairly good.
Would much rather have a all round solid team rather than trolling for some expensive superstars.
Much prefer the homegrown variety.