John Clayton on how Seahawks’ 5 trades have shaped the team
Sep 5, 2017, 11:28 AM
Cornerback Justin Coleman was a member of the Seahawks practice squad in 2015. (AP)
(AP)
John Clayton joined Brock and Salk on Tuesday morning to recap the Seahawks’ busy weekend – one that included not one, not two, but five trades.
The first trade, and perhaps the biggest, sent veteran wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. The move makes Seattle’s defensive line not just one of the best in the league, but perhaps one that surpasses Seattle’s 2013 unit.
O’Neil: Seahawks’ acquisition of Richardson old strategy with new twist
“I think (they are) clearly the best,” Clayton said of Seattle’s line, now with the addition of Richardson.
“I mean, it went in with pretty good ratings but now you have a combination of star power, powerful players, (and) young players. It’s deep. … The team itself and the defense may not be as deep as it was in 2013, but this defensive line is even better than 2013.”
The Seahawks’ most controversial move, outside of trading Kearse, was waiving wide receiver Kasen Williams. Critics questioned whether the improvements to Seattle’s defense came at the expense of its wide receiver corps. Clayton, though, thinks the unit is still very talented.
“Certainly it’s taken some hits now, with Kasen Williams going and being cut,” Clayton said. ”But I think they like, certainly, Tanner McEvoy. Amara Darboh came on, at least in the last game. They have Dave Moore on the practice squad. So, I think it’s still a pretty good unit.
“They have the flexibility of J.D. McKissic, going back and forth at running back and wide receiver. In the end when they wanted to keep that 10th offensive lineman, it probably came at the expense of a wide receiver. But I still think they feel really good about this group. And, obviously they decided that good potential that they get from McEvoy tops what they would’ve been able to get with Kasen Williams, even though Kasen clearly beat all those guys out in training camp.”
Seattle also netted cornerback Justin Coleman, a former member of the Seahawks practice squad, from the Patriots and offensive lineman Isaiah Battle from the Chiefs.
“Justin (Coleman) is going to be probably the emergency nickel guy,” Clayton said. “I guess he has the flexibility to play outside, but they brought him in with Tramaine Brock not working out and being traded to Minnesota; they needed somebody to work behind Jeremy Lane when they go nickel. He’s been in the system, so he knows it.
“(Battle has a) big, long, angular body that they think can maybe develop into a tackle and look down the line. He was a supplemental pick a couple years ago, really hasn’t settled into anything yet, but they think that maybe they can groom (him).”
Seattle also sent linebacker/defensive end Cassius Marsh to New England (more on that here) and cornerback Tramaine Brock to Minnesota (more on that here).
