Analysis: 5 Trade-Down Scenarios For Seahawks in First Round of 2022 NFL Draft

Despite having a top-10 pick for the first time in over a decade, could we see a vintage trade-down from Seahawks general manager John Schneider in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft? Ty Dane Gonzalez explores five possibilities.

For the first time in over a decade, the Seahawks will be picking in the top-10 of the NFL draft. But it won't be due to their own struggles in 2021, which landed their original first-round pick at No. 10. That pick now belongs to the Jets as part of the trade that sent safety Jamal Adams to the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 2020.

Instead, Seattle will be picking one spot ahead of its original selection at No. 9, which was acquired from Denver in part for quarterback Russell Wilson last month. Many believe that pick will be used to draft Wilson's successor under center, with Liberty's Malik Willis and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder at the forefront of those projections. Other analysts and fans alike feel general manager John Schneider and the Seahawks' front office could instead target a blue-chip defensive prospect like Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis or Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, or nab an offensive tackle of the future like Mississippi State's Charles Cross.

But the thing about Schneider is: he loves to wheel and deal, and trading down from No. 9 could make sense in a fluid draft class. So what could his options be if he explores that avenue? Here are five ideas Seattle could hammer out with a quartet of potentially interested teams.

Houston Texans

Seahawks trade pick No. 9 to Texans for picks No. 13 and No. 80

In this scenario, the Seahawks get a mid third-round pick for dropping just four spots in the first-round order, keeping the potential loss in talent to a minimum and the possibility of another trade-down on the table. This may require someone like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton falling unexpectedly to No. 9 for the Texans to show interest in moving up, though Willis or another young passer could be in play as well.

Here's how it scores on the trade value charts:

Jimmy Johnson

Seahawks receive: 1,340 points

Texans receive: 1,350 points

Rich Hill

Seahawks receive: 392 points

Texans receive: 387 points

Baltimore Ravens

Seahawks trade picks No. 9 and No. 72 to Ravens for picks No. 14, No. 45 and No. 196

Instead of going the accumulation route, the Seahawks use a five-pick trade-down in the first round to move up 27 spots out of the third round to nab their third selection in the 40-45 range. It would allow for a ton of possibilities in the second round and set up for an incredibly fun day two of the draft for Schneider and company. 

Jimmy Johnson

Seahawks receive: 1,561.4 points

Ravens receive: 1,580 points

Rich Hill

Seahawks receive: 461 points

Ravens receive: 454 points

Philadelphia Eagles

Seahawks trade pick No. 9 to Eagles for picks No. 16 and No. 51

It's no secret the Eagles want/need to improve at the receiver position; and with three picks in the top-20 of the first round, they're poised to address that need and then some. But do they have their sights set on a particular name—one that may be impossible to nab with their first slotted pick at No. 15? And if so, how desperate are they to move up for said prospect? Because if they want pick No. 9, it will likely require what both trade value charts consider an overpay for the Seahawks to say yes.

Jimmy Johnson

Seahawks receive: 1,390 points

Eagles receive: 1,350 points

Rich Hill

Seahawks receive: 417 points

Eagles receive: 387 points

Pittsburgh Steelers

There are two options here for the Seahawks: one trade that relies heavily on future capital and one that further bolsters their day two efforts. Either deal would also require Seattle to forego the opportunity to select a premier prospect and slide 11 picks down to No. 20, so Pittsburgh will have to pony up if its interest in Willis is as strong as reported. 

Option No. 1: Seahawks trade pick No. 9 to Steelers for picks No. 20, No. 138 and 2023 first-round pick

The general rule of thumb with future draft pick value is to drop it by a full round, so the 2023 first-rounder heading to the Seahawks will be graded with the same pick value as the Steelers' 2022 second-rounder for this exercise. 

Jimmy Johnson

Seahawks receive: ~1,267 points

Steelers receive: 1,350 points

Rich Hill

Seahawks receive: ~395 points

Steelers receive: 387 points

Option No. 2: Seahawks trade picks No. 9 and No. 109 to Steelers for picks No. 20, No. 52 and No. 84

Jimmy Johnson

Seahawks receive: 1,400 points

Steelers receive: 1,426 points

Rich Hill

Seahawks receive: 429 points

Steelers receive: 419 points