Boasting big-name talents such as Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, the 2018 NFL Draft features the deepest quarterback class in years.
For teams picking in the middle of the first round like the Seattle Seahawks, great depth at the sport’s most vital position could dramatically increase trade value for those picks.
Seattle, which picks No. 18 overall, already has its franchise signal caller in Russell Wilson. But several teams drafting behind the Seahawks need to find their quarterback of the future, which could potentially create a bidding war to acquire Seattle’s pick.
Rosen, Darnold, Mayfield, and Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen are all projected to be selected in the first 10 picks of this month’s draft, and unless one of those players unexpectedly experiences a free fall of Aaron Rodgers proportions, Seattle won’t benefit from teams trading up to acquire one of those top prospects.
However, quarterback-needy teams appear to be in luck this year, as dual-threat Lamar Jackson of Louisville and big-armed Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State also have first-round ability and have been linked to multiple teams. If either player remains available once the Seahawks are on the clock, multiple teams will be jumping at the bit to acquire their suddenly coveted draft pick.
As referenced earlier this offseason, the Seahawks have made a habit of trading down or out of the first round completely with general manager John Schneider at the helm. Though these previous trades have resulted in mixed results at best, this year’s draft has the potential to yield a far greater return than previous years.
For one, Seattle has a much higher draft pick than usual after missing the playoffs for the first time in six years. Simply put, picking at No. 18 offers far more value than drafting in the bottom third of the first round, giving Schneider more bargaining power when negotiating a deal with potential suitors.
Secondly, several teams near the bottom of the first round have established, yet aging starting quarterbacks and this could be the perfect year to draft a quarterback for the future. Teams such as the Steelers, Saints, and Patriots don’t need a starter right now, but Jackson and Rudolph would likely be top-10 picks most other years, making this a prime year to trade up for a mid-first-round bargain.
Considering Seattle’s current draft dilemma without a second- or third-round pick after trading for Sheldon Richardson and Duane Brown last season, Schneider would have the perfect scenario to recoup Day 2 picks while still possibly landing a marquee player at the end of the first round. And much to the delight of fans, he wouldn’t have to move safety Earl Thomas to make it happen.
Ultimately, Schneider and the Seahawks should be able to trade back for at least a late-first-round pick with an additional Day 2 selection, if not more.
Among interested parties, the Patriots may offer the most to “sweeten the pot” in a possible deal, as father time will eventually catch up with Tom Brady and the team needs to draft his eventual successor. After netting a second first-round pick in the recent Brandin Cooks trade with the Rams, New England also has four total picks in the first two rounds and could be much more aggressive attempting to land a quarterback as a result.
Schneider has carefully worded the Seahawks offseason moves as means to “reset” the roster rather than rebuild or a reload. Regardless of what terminology he chooses to describe the major changes taking hold in Seattle, using this deep quarterback class as leverage with its first-round pick would accelerate the process towards returning to championship contention.
