FanPost

Possible Trade Partners for Frank Clark

Earlier this week I expressed the need for Seattle to trade Frank Clark before this years draft and after today’s events Seattle might be closer to granting this wish. (For those who didn’t read the article here it beez)

https://www.fieldgulls.com/2019/3/6/18253952/should-seattle-trade-frank-clark

As just reported by NFL.com Frank Clark has just announced he will not be signing the Non Exclusive Franchise Tag and will be planning to hold from training camp as a result of not agreeing to a long term deal with Seattle. (NFL.com article below)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021768/article/frank-clark-wont-sign-franchise-tag-until-deal-is-done

I think Frank Clark just did Seattle a solid by making this demand. Not that Seattle hadn’t been exploring possible trades for Clark, but with this new development it should now embolden Seattle trade Frank Clark an avoid an off-season fraught with rumors, turmoil, and difficult press surrounding what could be contemptuous negotiations. So with that issue on the horizon I have located 3 possible destinations for Frank Clark’s services who will be realistic trade partners for Seattle.

1. New York Jets, 4-12

The J-E-T-S, JETS JETS MESS have the second most money to spend behind Indianapolis this off-season. With $91.5 mil (reported by overthecap.com) to spend I expect the Jets to throw lots of money to upgrade key positions, especially one like DE. The Jets can afford the type of long term deal 25 year old Frank Clark wants, somewhere around $80 mil 4-5 years. The Jets were tied for 16th with 39 sacks last season and the most by anyone was only 7 sacks. Pass rush would seem like a priority for the Jets and a pairing of Frank Clark and Leonard Williams could be enticing. With the Jets holding the 3rd pick in this years draft I could see a Frank Clark and Seattle’s 21st pick sent to the Jets for their 3rd pick and possibly a 3rd round (or later) pick or pick swap in this years draft. This would trade would benefit both teams and give Seattle much trade flexibility within the draft.

Jets receives Clark, 21st pick/ Seattle receives 3rd pick and a later pick (3rd Rd or later or later RD swap)

2. Oakland Raiders, 4-12

The Raiders traded all world DE/LB Khalil Mack to the Windy City where he literally took the Bears to the playoffs. Exit Mack, exit Bruce Irvin and the Raiders had a total of 13 sacks last season. Now there’s "last" and then there’s that. Is there a negative last...like, not 32nd in something but -1...maybe they should be the first team to "negative" in a category. So by my new metric the Raiders were -1st in sacks last season. With that being said, the Raiders could literally double their total in sacks by trading for Frank Clark. They just traded for Antonio Brown and I could see them making another splash move. The Raiders have the 4th, 24th, and 27th picks in the draft. That’s three 1st rounders. The Seahawks could ship Clark to "Oaklandvegas" for either the 24th or 27th pick straight up. With the Raiders being 7th with cap money ($63 mil) they can strike a long term deal with Clark that would still cost them less than what Mack got from the Bears. Gruden can say I see your Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack and raise you an Antonio Brown and Frank Clark plus an extra 1st round pick. Not bad!

Raiders receive Clark/ Seattle receives 24th or 27th pick

3. Indianapolis Colts, 10-6

The Colts can break the bank this offseason with $101 mil to spend on toys this offseason. They ranked 19th in sacks this past season with 38 sacks. The addition of Clark to a great 2018 draft class that brought in defensive rookie of the year linebacker Darius Leonard, could be a sneaky great move that could put them in Super Bowl contention. The Colts have 9 picks in this years draft with the 26th in the 1st Rd Seattle should target. A Frank Clark for this 26th pick makes sense for the Colts who might lose out on the top Edge rushers coming off the board before they pick towards the end of the 1st Rd.

Indy receives Clark/Seattle receives 26th pick

Overall, Seattle has some trade options and the incentive to get Clark a new home just ramped up 2,000%. Feel free to vote on which trade makes the most sense for Seattle and feel free to add any teams I left off you think are good trade partners too.