Making sense of Broncos blockbuster deal for QB Russell Wilson and what it means for AFC West
If you haven’t heard the news, the Denver Broncos moved swiftly to address their 2022 signal-caller. The urgency came on the heels of QB Aaron Rodgers, who opted to return to Green Bay.
That allowed Broncos GM George Paton to call the audible and strike a deal for 11-year veteran QB Russell Wilson.
The blockbuster deal sends Wilson and a 2022 4th-round pick to Denver while the Seattle Seahawks yield:
DE Shelby Harris
QB Drew Lock
TE Noah Fant
2022 1st-round pick (No. 9)
2022 2nd-round pick (No. 40)
2022 5th-round pick
2023 1st-round pick
2023 2nd-round pick
If you’re doing the math, that’s an 8:2 deal.
Who won the trade?
This is a no-brainer. The Seattle Seahawks.
The Hawks are in no position to be a Super Bowl contending team anytime soon even with Wilson at quarterback. It was time to reload and GM John Schneider opted to not only get valuable assets in return but found a trade partner in the AFC.
The Hawks needed defensive line help, they got instant plug-and-play DE Shelby Harris. Seattle also was in dire need of a young receiving TE, enter 2019 1st-round pick (No. 20) TE Noah Fant.
Those two alone should boost the overall grade. However, CBS Sports Patrik Walker sees otherwise.
He believes the Seahawks lost the trade due to not yielding a strong track record when it comes to their scouting department. Furthermore, suggests that WR DK Metcalf and WR Tyler Lockett will stir up “shockwaves” when it comes to wanting to stay in Seattle with Wilson gone.
I’ll admit, the Seahawks are well below average when hitting on day 1 & day 2 picks. Based on my BWF analytics--23% to be exact under GM John Schneider.
Still, holding multiple first and second-round picks gives the Seahawks “draft flexibility.” They can manipulate the board how they see fit or trade for a franchise QB like a QB Deshaun Watson. A younger alternative.
Not to mention, Schneider kills the fifth-round, something Walker failed to mention when I peel back layers of the onion to get to the core.
2010 SS Kam Chancellor
2011 CB Richard Sherman
2018 P Michael Dickson
17% All-Pro hit rate in Round 5
No matter how you slice it, the Seahawks came out on top. Walker admitted the Broncos gave up a “king’s ransom,” and in the end, that’s good enough for me.
GRADE: A
How does Wilson impact the AFC West?
The AFC West is filled with Pro Bowl talent much like the NFC West. The Los Angeles Chargers traded for All-Pro OLB Khalil Mack while the starting quarterbacks alone should create weekly matchup headlines.
The Broncos have the team built to win now. All they needed was a franchise QB to get them over the hump. Luckily for them, they landed a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Denver has arguably the best secondary in the NFL while the offense is set at almost every position. This includes skill positions; RB Javonte Williams, WR Jerry Jeudy, WR Courtland Sutton, and WR Tim Patrick.
Ultimately, the Broncos got their quarterback while the Seahawks gained valuable assets that boost their rebuild. Was there a true winner? Time will tell.