If the Seattle Seahawks needed a push to become buyers at the NFL trade deadline, they just got it. The Miami Dolphins have ‘mutually parted ways’ with general manager Chris Grier. Where once the Dolphins were reportedly turning teams down for potential trade options, the window is open for a complete overhaul in Miami.
Seattle can certainly get in on the action, though it depends on just how aggressive John Schneider wants to be. He’s been aggressive at the deadline in the past, and high-potential players or proven vets squandered on a struggling franchise often pay dividends.
Seattle could shoot for the moon with Jaylen Waddle, but for a projection of something closer to our atmosphere, maybe the Seahawks could hit two birds with one stone to stock up on defense a bit.
Miami’s reset could open the door for the Seattle Seahawks to make an upgrade
Seattle isn’t getting the same production out of Boye Mafe as they might have hoped. After posting 18 sacks in his first three seasons, Mafe hasn’t registered a sack this season. In a contract season, he might be a trade target for other teams or someone the front office in Seattle is willing to part with.
Teams around the league are eyeing the Miami Dolphins' pass rushers, particularly Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Seattle could certainly take one off their hands while giving a potential future option to them as well.
A potential trade idea to consider is sending Miami Boye Mafe and a conditional late-round pick for Phillips to improve the Seattle pass rush.
The Seahawks have a strong pass rush, but Mafe’s contributions aren’t jumping off the page despite his past successes. If Miami is gutted at the trade deadline defensively, at least in Miami he’d have more opportunities to get after the passer.
Seattle, on the other hand, could use a situational pass rusher to pair with Uchenna Nwosu down the stretch. DeMarcus Lawrence isn’t the pass-rushing threat on third downs like he once was, and Phillips needs to prove his worth ahead of his first shot at free agency.
Seattle could send a conditional fifth-rounder to Miami that bumps to a fourth-rounder if the Seahawks are pleased enough with Phillips to resign him. That does put a bit more risk on Seattle, but this is an aggressive move to help the team right now. Seattle would be betting on the more proven asset to be a difference maker for their pass rush at a critical point in the season.
If he pays off, then the Seahawks can re-sign him and reap the benefit of the bet landing in their favor. If he doesn't, Seattle loses out on a mid-round pick and a pass rusher who probably wasn't going to stick around anyway.
That said, the Seahawks have a solid pass rush as is. They're seventh in sacks and fourth in pressures. If Schneider and the Seahawks don't believe that Phillips can be the difference maker on crucial pass-rushing downs, it might be better to stay out of the Miami gold rush altogether.