FanPost

Should the Seahawks Trade for Jadeveon Clowney?



My answer in short is yes. Our defensive line has loads of potential. However, potential can also be viewed as inexperienced and unproven. With Clark gone, Reed suspended, and Ziggy being hobbled by a shoulder injury with no clear return date. The defensive line is in need of an anchor to keep the opposing quarterbacks in check.

Over the past 2 seasons Clowney has amassed 18.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 24 run stuffs, 42 QB hits, and 106 tackles. Sure, Clowney can rush the passer. But his real worth comes in the effect of menacing the passer and collapsing the pocket. He, similar to Khalil Mack just has a knack for knowing the quarterback’s movements and getting a hand on him.

Where Houston Stands:

Houston truly botched the handling Clowney and his contract. First, they franchise tagged him as a linebacker when the majority of his snaps come off the line. The linebacker tag valuation is at $15.443 million compared to the defensive end tag at $17.128 million, a considerable chunk of change falling just below $2 million. Clowney and the NFLPA are currently fighting to get this remedied.

Second, being the star player Clowney is, if Houston would have traded him before the July 15th franchise extension deadline, they could have gotten a haul similar to that of Frank Clark. We are now a month past the extension deadline and Clowney has yet to sign the franchise tag. Any team trading for Clowney cannot negotiate a long-term extension until after the season is over, per the CBA, effectively making him a 1-year rental. This really hurts his trade value. Rumors are that Clowney has refused to sign his franchise tag if he was going to be traded to either Buffalo or the Dolphins, leaving Clowney with full control over a potential trade.

This is where the Seahawks come in:

I don’t want Clowney for anything more than the one-year rental this trade would create. This is mainly due to his injury history and likelihood of a massive monetary value of his next extension. However, he will be highly motivated to perform and show he is worth the long-term contract and the money that comes along with it, if he were to play on the tag.

The Trade I purpose:

Seahawks:

2020 3rd round draft pick

2020 5th round draft pick

G Ethan Pocic

SS Delano hill

Texans:

Jadeveon Clowney (move him to DE franchise tag $17,128,000)

Why the Texans will go for this deal:

The Texans are in a "win now" mode and with Jadeveon Clowney holding out with no end in sight, the Texans are looking to acquire assets that will help them this season. It’s no secret that the Texans have had one of the worst offensive lines over the past several years. Ethan Pocic could help shore up the offensive line to help protect their franchise QB Deshaun Watson. Pocic was considered about as close to a sure thing coming out of LSU in the 2017 draft. He was a 2nd round pick and displayed tons of potential in his rookie year. However, in 2018 the Hawks switched out their O-line coach and he regressed. The potential is there but he is no longer a fit for the new Hawks O-line scheme. On top of Pocic throwing in Delano Hill will help solidify their safety position along side Justin Reid creating a potentially dynamic duo. Hill at the end of the 2018 season was creating play after play before getting hurt.

Why the Seahawks will go for this deal:

With so many key cogs missing on the defensive line the Seahawks could really use a dependable and proven entity that will contribute right away. In order to do this Seattle would be giving up 2020 3rd and 5th round picks, with potential that the Hawks could get a 3rd round 2021 comp pick in return, if Clowney were to walk in free agency after this season. The Seahawks would also be trading away two players that are currently sitting on the roster bubble causing no wake of damage to our current roster.

We currently have the cap space to fit his contract with roughly $7 million left in cap room after the trade. We could than release Ed Dickson and Jaron Brown to add an additional $6 million in cap space, leaving us with roughly $13 million in cap room post trade. This is an important thing to keep in mind if we plan on extending Jaron Reed this season.

Some would consider this a step down from Frank Clark; whom we just traded away earlier this off season. This is like comparing apples and oranges. Frank Clark through his professional career has purely played defensive end whereas Clowney has predominately played as a linebacker positioned on the line of scrimmage. Moving Clowney back to defensive end where he dominated in college ball, has the potential to unlock an entirely new level of play from this already distinguished player. It would be a comfortable change of position where he can smoothly transition and showcase his talents in hopes of a monster contract.

Seahawks 2020 draft picks after the trade:

1st (ours)

2nd (ours)

2nd (Kansas City trade)

3rd (Earl Thomas Comp pick)

4th (ours)

4th (Justin Coleman comp pick)

6th (Shamar Stephen comp pick)

7th (Brett Hundley comp pick)