STACY ROST
Seahawks Takeaways: What you need to know about Quinton Dunbar
The Seahawks’ secondary got a boost – and some immediate competition – on Monday when Seattle reportedly acquired 27-year-old Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round pick.
Clayton: Seahawks checking off offseason boxes with Dunbar, O-line
Is the steal-of-a-deal for general manager John Schneider too good to be true?
Dunbar’s contract situation with Washington and injury history add a bit of context, but acquiring one of last year’s top corners for a fifth-round pick certainly feels like a deal that favors Seattle.
Here’s what you need to know:
Dunbar received the second-highest grade among all corners last year from PFF
Dunbar started 11 games last year for Washington and recorded four interceptions and eight passes defensed – both team highs. He received a grade of 87.7 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked second among all cornerbacks (behind only San Francisco’s Richard Sherman).
Washington may have had concerns about Dunbar’s health
Dunbar’s 2019 season is particularly impressive given the nerve injury he was dealing with in 2018 – one that caused him to feel some weakness in one leg. He appeared in just seven games and ultimately landed on the injured reserve.
Dunbar had his best season yet in 2019, but also landed on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury after 11 games.
Dunbar and Washington’s front office were reportedly at odds about his contract
In February, ESPN reported that Dunbar had requested to be traded or released from Washington due to a contract dispute. Dunbar, who is entering the final year of his contract with none of his base salary guaranteed, was seeking an extension.
It was one Washington appeared unwilling to offer, since the team began shopping him around. And one thing is for certain there: the knowledge that a player wants out certainly doesn’t boost any trade leverage.
It also means he’s carrying a low cap hit
Dunbar adds immediate competition with Tre Flowers at right cornerback. And at 6-foot-2 with 32-inch arms and plenty of speed, he fits the mold of a Pete Carroll corner. Maybe the only question – outside of health – concerning Dunbar is whether he’ll be looking for a new contract with Seattle.
He’s under contract for 2020; Washington will carry $1 million in dead money while Seattle will be responsible for Dunbar’s $3.4 million base salary. Is there a chance Seattle makes any changes to that deal?
Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Stacy Rost on Twitter.
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