D.K. Metcalf has been one of the NFL’s most electric wide receivers since the Seattle Seahawks drafted him with the 64th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. But with just a year left on his contract and the Seahawks flirting with a potential rebuild, Metcalf could be on the move.
Long gone are the days of the Legion of Boom as the string of success ran out for the Seahawks who finished with a losing record for the first time since 2011. But it was the Russell Wilson trade that truly signalled the end of an era for Seattle.
The Seahawks traded Wilson to the Denver Broncos for two first-rounders (including 9th overall this year), two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock and defensive lineman Shelby Harris. No matter how impressive the haul, the Seahawks are headed squarely in the wrong direction without Wilson at quarterback.
That could mean a rebuild is in the cards, and if it does, the Seahawks could be set to shop some of their more valuable assets. One of which is D.K. Metcalf. The former second round pick is set to be a free agent following the 2022 season and if the ‘Hawks aren’t confident about re-signing him long-term, they could be enticed to deal him for a decent haul of picks and prospects.
Metcalf has caught 216 passes for 3170 yards and 29 touchdowns in 49 career games while cementing himself as one of the better receivers in the NFL. He’s a freak athlete with elite speed and body control, and has improved as a route-runner since coming into the league. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Seahawks command a pretty penny for him, but where could he land?
Green Bay Packers
The Packers were able to re-sign Aaron Rodgers to a three-year $150 million extension in the offseason, but their overall cap situation meant that backward steps were almost inevitable. Star wide receiver Davante Adams was franchise-tagged by the Packers before letting the team know he had no intention of playing on the tag. Instead of handing him a mega extension, the Packers traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Without Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who left to join the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, the Packers are incredibly thin at receiver. The projected starters at the position are Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Amari Rodgers. It’s clear that the Packers need help. With two first round picks, there’s every chance that the Packers could draft a receiver early in the 2022 NFL Draft, but trading for Metcalf presents an immediate solution.
The Packers are all-in on winning now with Rodgers, and while a rookie wide receiver could make an impact at some point, Metcalf gives the Packers a guaranteed X receiver as soon as he steps foot in the building.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts made major strides in his second season, and while there’s still room for considerable growth, the signs are generally good. His completion percentage shot up from 52 percent to 61.3 percent while he demonstrated the ability to make big plays with his arm, as well as his legs.
The Eagles are subscribing to a popular philosophy in the NFL: they want to throw it far, and they want to do it often. Hurts attempted a deep pass (20+ yards or more) on 15.8 percent of his throws in the NFL last season, 5th most in the league per PFF. And while the Eagles have one great receiver in Devonta Smith, adding another receiver capable of stretching the field could truly unlock their offense. Metcalf was targeted downfield 29 times in 2021, tied for the 8th-most in the NFL.
Like the Packers, the Eagles have the necessary draft capital to acquire Metcalf and also have the need. The combination of Metcalf and Smith would be one of the best young duos in the NFL. It would give Smith the freedom to play as a Z receiver more often and move around the offense, but both have the versatility to play multiple receiver spots.
Indianapolis Colts
This one is a little tougher to pull off if the Seahawks want meaningful picks for the 2022 NFL Draft. But if they’re willing to load up down the line, the Colts present an interesting candidate. Matt Ryan is the Colts’ 6th quarterback in the last six seasons. While there isn’t the guarantee of longevity, Ryan is still a very good quarterback who gives the Colts a better chance to contend than any signal caller since Andrew Luck.
Despite adding Ryan, the Colts offense still needs to improve at the receiver position. Michael Pittman Jr is the Colts number one receiver but aside from him, the position group is thin. Parris Campbell has the chance to be a true deep threat but has played just 15 games in three seasons.
Even if Campbell finds his feet, the Colts need more and Metcalf could provide them with a kick. Having Pittman and Metcalf, two big-bodied receivers who can win at all three levels, is an enticing prospect.
It gives Matt Ryan two very good receivers and takes some pressure off players like Campbell and Ashton Dulin. It does mean that the Colts will have to part with future picks – when they could potentially be out of contention – but if that’s the price for a star receiver, then it’s probably worth it.
Kansas City Chiefs
How do you replace a talent like Tyreek Hill?
It’s an impossible task. Hill accumulated 479 receptions, 7349 total yards from scrimmage and 62 touchdowns in his six years with the Chiefs, and became the NFL’s most dynamic weapon. His connection with Patrick Mahomes was matched only by the Rodgers-Adams connection, but like Adams in Green Bay, the Chiefs weren’t able to agree on an extension with Hill and he was traded to the Miami Dolphins.
Similar to the Packers, the Chiefs possess two late first round picks that could be spent on upgrading the receiver position. The difference between the two, however, is that the Chiefs have already taken steps to bolster the position by signing Juju Smith-Schuster. They also have Travis Kelce, the best tight end in the NFL.
Smith-Schuster is best utilised in the slot, though, and Kelce can’t do it all by himself. The Chiefs will contend without adding Metcalf, but what better way to assert yourself as the rest of the AFC West grows around you?
Metcalf might not command the same contract as Hill either, so re-signing him long-term, to give Mahomes a great weapon for the next five years might not be so difficult.
New York Jets
The Jets might not be immediate contenders like the Packers, Chiefs and Colts, and they might not even be as good as the Eagles. However, there’s real potential for the offense to improve in 2022. The front office has improved the offensive line by adding Laken Tomlinson and Zach Wilson could take a step forward in his development this season as well.
Elijah Moore has the chance to be a breakout star at receiver, and Corey Davis is a great second option, but the Jets need a reliable open field threat. They own the 4th and 10th overall picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and could easily draft a receiver at one of those spots, while also drafting another offensive lineman.
If the Jets are serious about Wilson’s development, they’ll add another receiver in the draft. Or, they could do one better and trade for Metcalf. Still just 24 years old, he would considerably improve the Jets offense while becoming the clear number one receiver for Wilson’s gunslinging style of play.
What better way to say “we’re serious about Zach Wilson” than to trade for a top 20 receiver and pay him handsomely for the next three or four years. The Jets should be hot on the trail of Metcalf.
-Thomas Valentine
Twitter: @ThomasValenfine
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