Stacy Rost: Who Seahawks could target before trade deadline

Some of the Seattle Seahawks’ best moves have come in October.

John Schneider’s list of midseason trade acquisitions includes Leonard Williams, Ernest Jones IV, Quandre Diggs, Duane Brown and Carlos Dunlap, among others. Even Marshawn Lynch was an October acquisition back in 2010.

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This year’s trade deadline already feels a bit more quiet, and Seattle’s team is a bit more complete. But it doesn’t mean there aren’t some potential candidates.

RG Wyatt Teller (Browns)

Cleveland Browns right guard Wyatt Teller is in the final year of a four-year, $56.8 million contract and is on a struggling 2-6 team that should have its eyes set on building in 2026. Could the Browns be tempted to move on from the 30-year-old Teller via trade to recoup some draft capital?

Teller had a strong stretch of play in 2020-21 and is a three-time Pro Bowler (2021, 2022, 2023). Is that the exact version Seattle would acquire? Couldn’t tell you. Cleveland’s offense was abysmal last year and Pro Football Focus tagged the Browns’ OL with a poor grade. What I can tell you is a number of critics have pointed to right guard as an area of need for Seattle. And while offensive linemen aren’t commonly moved at the deadline, Teller is a popular target in trade rumors. He’s certainly the best fit on this list.

“There’s difficulties right now in the running game that I’m not sure get solved unless the right guard position gets solved,” ESPN’s Benjamin Solak said during a recent interview with Bump and Stacy. “If I were in the room right now with John Schneider and he asked me, ‘Should we go for an O-lineman or pass?’ I would say let’s go for one. Not with the belief that it’s going to make us better in November, but with the belief that it’s going to make us better in December and January.”

It’s worth noting that Mike Macdonald hasn’t been openly critical about play at guard and didn’t make any personnel changes up front over the bye week.

“We don’t need any wholesale changes,” Macdonald said of the Seahawks’ run game. “We need to keep attacking it.”

The latest: Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot wrote on Saturday that the Browns are hoping to be buyers at the deadline. Does that make dealing Teller unlikely?

LB Logan Wilson (Bengals)

Surely the Seahawks wouldn’t make another trade for a linebacker?

Per ESPN, Wilson requested a trade from the Bengals due to reduced playing time in favor of rookie Barrett Carter. A reunion with current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is, by far, the most popular assumption here. And if he is dealt, it makes perfect sense. But there are a few other teams that could use linebacker depth, and even though Seattle saw a massive upgrade there last year, it remains a quiet area of depth concern in an otherwise stout front seven.

The Bengals rarely make midseason deals, but Seattle was on the other end of one of them back in 2020 when it acquired Dunlap.

Wilson’s current contract (four years, $36 million) runs through 2027.

Just a few reasons why @ljw21 got extended ⬇️

More highlights on https://t.co/KpeqK4SiJU pic.twitter.com/OzQbZBGgmD

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 6, 2023

EDGE Maxx Crosby (Raiders) OR Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins)

The Seahawks defense has been stellar this season. They’re by no means at the top of a list of teams desperate for help with the pass rush.

But what if a very good defense could be even better?

The Seahawks have acquired defensive talent at the deadline before, with Dunlap and Diggs being the two most notable additions, but they’ve not typically made their blockbuster deals then. They didn’t seem to be a primary candidate for Micah Parsons when Dallas dealt him over the summer, so perhaps Macdonald is perfectly happy with the group he has.

But elite playmakers make a difference, and adding to the group could give Seattle the edge it needs in a crowded group of NFC contenders. Plus, Schneider has recent trade history with both Miami and Vegas.

The latest: Phillips is by far the likelier of the two to be dealt. On his own podcast, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he expects the Dolphins to deal one of their top pass rushers. Meanwhile, FOX Sports Jay Glazer said the Cowboys called the Raiders to see about a trade for Crosby and were rebuffed, adding that Vegas has no plans to deal its star.

.@JJPhillips15 on the attack 💥

📺 @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/RCqrXTxpza

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 5, 2025

Other names and teams to watch

The Bills and Steelers are primary candidates for receiver help and have been linked to New Orleans’ Chris Olave and Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley.

The two tight ends most often mentioned in rumors are Ravens veteran Mark Andrews and Cleveland’s David Njoku. The Seahawks don’t need help but could still see one of the two in the NFC West; the Rams have been a popular choice for a tight end.

There’s still a notable portion of national reporters who think Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen will be dealt, though locally it feels a bit less likely given Devon Witherspoon’s knee injury. The Lions have continued to deal with injuries in their secondary and remain a popular suitor for names like Woolen, New Orleans’ Alontae Taylor and Cincinnati’s Cam Taylor-Britt.

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov 4.

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