3 thoughts on the Seahawks’ trade for Terrelle Pryor

By Brady Henderson

Three thoughts on the Seahawks’ latest move, a trade that acquires quarterback Terrelle Pryor from Oakland in exchange for a seventh-round pick:

What’s in store for Pryor? The press release the Seahawks sent out to announce the move referred to Pryor as a quarterback. The quote from general manager John Schneider, though, didn’t: “Terrelle is an incredibly explosive athlete and we’re excited for him to come in and compete.”

Perhaps it’s meaningless, or perhaps it’s an indication that the Seahawks have thoughts about using Pryor in another capacity, one that takes advantage of the explosiveness that Schneider mentioned. Pryor is an athletic marvel, with various reports stating he’s run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds. That’s impressive for anyone, especially someone who stands 6 foot 4 and weighs 233 pounds like Pryor.

It’s not as though the Seahawks are in need of another quarterback. Russell Wilson is the clear-cut starter, Tarvaris Jackson is among the best backups in the league and B.J. Daniels is a talented developmental prospect. It would be hard to imagine Pryor beating out Jackson to be Seattle’s backup this season, especially considering Jackson’s one-year, $1.25 million is guaranteed. Seattle has only kept two quarterbacks on its 53-man roster the last two seasons.

Seventh rounder in perspective. Remember the names Lazarius Levingston, Ryan Seymour and Ty Powell? They were all seventh-round picks by Seattle who didn’t make the team out of training camp the year they were drafted. Levingston and Seymour were then signed to the practice squad as rookies, but none of the three are still with Seattle.

That should help put into perspective what little the Seahawks are giving up for Pryor, whom they obtained for their seventh-round pick in next month’s draft (No. 247 overall). If Pryor doesn’t pan out, the Seahawks will have only given up a draft pick that they could have spent on a player who recent history shows would be no lock to even make the team.

The Seahawks now hold six picks in next month’s draft after giving up their seventh-round selection. The complete list looks like this:

• Round 1, 32 overall
• Round 2, 64 overall
• Round 4, 132 overall
• Round 5, 146 overall (Matt Flynn trade)
• Round 5, 172 overall
• Round 6, 208 overall

A reason to reserve judgment. Pryor, 24, has appeared in 15 games since he was chosen in the third round of the 2011 supplemental draft. That includes 10 starts over the last two seasons. His passing numbers in that stretch aren’t overwhelming: 170 for 302 (56.3 percent), 6.5 yards per completion, nine touchdowns to 12 interceptions, and a 69.3 QB rating. The Raiders went 3-7 in Pryor’s 10 starts. Aside from his rushing statistics – a 6.2 yards-per-carry average and three touchdowns, including one of 93 yards – none of his totals are particularly impressive.

Something that should be taken into account, though, is the instability, lack of talent and general dysfunction that has defined the Raiders for some time. In three seasons, Pryor has played for two head coaches, three offensive coordinators and two quarterbacks coaches. Oakland has finished 4-12 in each of the last two seasons, with only two offensive Pro-Bowl selections in that stretch.

That’s not the only reason for his lack of success so far, but it certainly hasn’t helped.

Follow Brady Henderson on Twitter @BradyHenderson.