The Seattle Seahawks have made their second commerce this month, sending cornerback Mike Jackson Sr to the Carolina Panthers for rookie seventh-round linebacker Michael Barrett. There was at all times the prospect that Jackson could be traded given the present state of the cornerback room, however to really get a participant in return is one thing of a shock.
With a bit little bit of time to digest the scenario, right here’s how I really feel concerning the Seahawks’ determination and normal course of.
Mike Jackson was by no means going to have notably excessive commerce worth
Jackson began reverse Riq Woolen within the 2022 season and was a stable performer however not spectacular. His PFF grade was nothing particular (for no matter worth that holds, as a result of I’m usually cautious taking them as gospel) however he wasn’t a sieve by way of productiveness towards him when focused. His completion proportion towards was a good 62%, and he saved his penalty rely pretty low.
The issue for Jackson is his notably troublesome 2023 preseason (rightfully) price him his beginning job to Tre Brown, and the one time he obtained prolonged snaps was by harm or when Riq Woolen obtained benched for dangerous tackling. He performed effectively final 12 months in a predominantly reserve function, though the efficiency towards the Pittsburgh Steelers was a foul time to play a few of his worst ball.
Meaning Jackson has a grand whole of 1 12 months as a beginning NFL cornerback in six seasons, and he hasn’t been wherever near incomes important Professional Bowl or All-Professional honors. Why ought to a profession backup/follow squad participant with a $1 million worth contract command something substantial? If he wasn’t traded, he would’ve possible been minimize for nothing or made the workforce and walked in free company for presumably nothing.
There was no indication that Jackson was going to win his beginning function again, and he by no means obtained a glance as a possible convert to security regardless of fan hypothesis. Maybe he deserved a shot to start out some place else, and the Panthers had been one of the best match.
It’s a distinct place, I do know, however Ryan Neal signed for the veteran’s minimal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he had important beginning and/or enjoying time for 3 seasons in Seattle. Jackson by no means actually had a shot at netting a better decide.
D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett are in all probability secure
The Seahawks drafting two corners was already a touch that Jackson’s spot was in jeopardy. Pritchett has been virtually completely on the surface, whereas James has been predominantly within the slot however has performed exterior in 26 of his 80 snaps. They’re each on four-year contracts and long-term performs (in principle), so whereas there might need been some debate over whether or not or not one among them (extra James than Pritchett) might miss the minimize, I believe Jackson’s departure considerably will increase their possibilities of being on the 53-man roster subsequent week.
Additionally remember that the Seahawks have Brown and Artie Burns additionally on expiring offers. Brown is on the lookout for an enormous contract—the Seahawks have scarcely performed this beneath John Schneider—whereas Burns is seeking to safe his place as a nickel backup. I’m pretty assured Burns might be on the roster however I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s a shock on that entrance, too.
The linebacker room wanted extra depth
Jerome Baker has hardly practiced since coming to Seattle and isn’t precisely going to be getting into the common season in tip-top form. Tyrice Knight might be going to be within the rotation behind Baker and Tyrel Dodson. That’s about it so far as consolation in depth.
Jon Rhattigan has been on the workforce for a number of years and never come notably near incomes non-special groups snaps. Patrick O’Connell might even overtake Rhattigan on the depth chart given a few of his performances in cross protection, however he’s additionally by no means had a daily season snap. Drake Thomas simply obtained again from harm and possibly received’t issue. Easton Gibbs and Blake Lynch are simply preseason depth items and so they’re extra possible than not getting minimize by subsequent Tuesday.
Michael Barrett was on my radar as a possible Day 3 decide for the Seahawks, however he went to the Panthers as a substitute. He was a part of that nice Michigan protection, profitable a nationwide championship in his senior season. Junior Colson was the upper profile linebacker and he’s with the Los Angeles Chargers, however Barrett was very achieved in his personal proper.
Right here’s what our SB Nation associates at Maize’N’Brew needed to say about Barrett when the Panthers drafted him:
When taking a look at Barrett as a prospect, the primary factor that’s robust to keep away from is his age. Barrett simply turned 24 in December, and whereas it’s not remarkable for older prospects to be drafted extremely, it’s nonetheless not quite common. Moreover, Barrett has had some deficiencies within the run recreation, comparable to shedding blocks and poor instincts which may forestall him from being an every-down defender on the subsequent degree.
Nevertheless, Barrett has proven to be a weapon within the cross recreation, as he exhibits stable expertise in each man and zone protection. He has additionally been a stable tackler all through his school profession with good method and loads of pop in his pads. This skillset could make him at the least a stable contributor on particular groups that may earn a roster spot even in his first 12 months.
I don’t know if Barrett will quantity to something and it’s arduous to disregard he’s on the smaller measurement as a linebacker, however I belief Mike Macdonald to know his strengths and weaknesses and decide if he can crack the rotation and be a contributor on particular groups.
