The Seattle Seahawks have found themselves in a position to compete for a deep postseason run in the 2025 season, as the resurgent offense has been paired with a very versatile defense that is starting to take root in Mike Macdonald's second season in charge. It stands to reason that Seattle will be buying at the trade deadline.
While the Seahawks should peruse the market for offensive line upgrades or a running back that can help beef up what has quickly become an area of weakness for them, it wouldn't hurt for them to improve upon one of their biggest strengths and build a cornerback room that no one in the league can throw on.
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame has them going big game hunting as they try to build an elite defense, as he implored John Schneider to consider a trade for Cleveland Browns standout Denzel Ward.
This Seahawks-Browns trade brings Denzel Ward to Seattle
Even as Riq Woolen starts to decline from the halcyon highs of his rookie season, Devon Witherspoon has emerged as one of the best at his position in the game. Josh Jobe has been a revelation as the other outside corner, and it's hard to find fault in Coby Bryant and Julian Love as a safety tandem.
The only reason the Browns aren't a lock to be considered one of the absolute worst teams in the league is their dominant defense, and Ward is the best player in a very skilled secondary. However, a rebuild may be coming, and Ward could be forced out after years of meritorious service.
Ward, who has been named a Pro Bowler four times in eight years with the Browns (including the last two years in a row), has graded out as one of the better corners in the NFL this season. Macdonald got plenty of up-close looks at Ward during his time with the rival Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns have two first-round picks as a result of the Travis Hunter trade, which could put them in an even greater position to dominate the 2026 draft. Getting a pick like this for a player who may not have very long to go in Cleveland, should a new regime come to town, could motivate the Browns to get a deal done.
Ward and Witherspoon, on the outside of a defense that is being masterminded by one of the game's most creative defensive minds in Macdonald, could make Seattle one of the scariest teams to line up against. If Sam Darnold keeps performing on offense, things could get very scary for the rest of the NFC.