Players requesting a trade is something of a theme this NFL offseason.
The latest? Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. On the same day the organization released veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, news broke that the Seahawks have begun to explore options after Metcalf requested a trade.
Frankly, all 31 teams should be interested. But with reports indicating that the Seahawks are looking for a first- and a third-round pick as a starting point for negotiations, some teams will be priced out of the chase.
These six should absolutely stay in.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Come on, you just KNOW Jerry Jones wants to make this kind of deal. The Cowboys have been looking for a second receiver next to CeeDee Lamb for a long time now, someone who can win on the outside and open up the alleyways for Lamb to operate from the slot.
Enter Metcalf, who is the big time outside threat that the Cowboys need. He brings a dominant downfield ability from the boundary, which allows Lamb to play in the slot without getting doubled all the time. Dallas is looking for skill position help, and more explosiveness on offense, and Metcalf is the guy that would be perfect here. Money would be the only thing stopping Dallas, considering they never spend. However, if they were to go get a guy, it should be DK.
5. Carolina Panthers
You know who needs help? Bryce Young. The Panthers took major steps in 2024 by getting Young on track, but it became apparent they didn’t have the weapons for him to take the next step and turn this team into a contender.
Carolina has myriad issues on both sides of the ball, but Metcalf is custom-built for what this team is trying to do at receiver with strength and size. Not only does DK give Bryce the best weapon he’s ever had, but Metcalf would be a perfect player to help 2024 rookie Xavier Legette learn how to impose his will on people in the NFL.
The lack of a deep ball was a big problem for Carolina last year, and this changes all that. Sprinkle in the fact that current Panthers GM Dan Morgan was in the Seahawks front office when they drafted Metcalf, and current head coach Dave Canales cut his teeth under Pete Carroll and you have a great level of familiarity from people who could use him in a new-look Carolina passing attack.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are a contender and he’s said he wants to play for a contender. The Buffalo Bills lack long speed on their roster and with Josh Allen’s big arm, they could hit plays down the field while simultaneously opening up the underneath for the newly minted Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel. That’s the rub, though, Buffalo has two sort of expensive wide receivers and an expensive tight end already. Do they want to give DK the big money he’s looking for?
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
After the release of Christian Kirk, the Jaguars’ depth at receiver gets really thin. Brian Thomas Jr. is a star in the making, but WR Gabe Davis is coming off an injury and also bad and then beyond that there’s a lot of unproven receivers on the team. Metcalf is a bit of a deep ball specialist at this stage, but with his vertical explosiveness he can replace Davis on the depth chart and give the Jaguars a fearsome 1-2 duo at receiver and a good QB in Trevor Lawrence.
After releasing Kirk, they have more wiggle room on the cap to make this type of move, which should raise their chances of winning the AFC South again.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Last season Ladd McConkey was a huge part of the Chargers’ passing game, as the rookie hauled in 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which led Los Angeles.
But adding Metcalf would give Justin Herbert a reliable target outside the numbers, helping to open up room for McConkey over the middle. That would also create some favorable situations for 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston, who took a step forward this past season but has yet to live up to his early-round billing from two seasons ago.
1. New England Patriots
The 2019 NFL Draft, it haunts me.
The New England Patriots, without question, needed a wide receiver entering the 2019 NFL Draft. There were many options for the defending Super Bowl Champions, all talented receivers that could help extend the run of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in New England.
The Patriots dipped their toes into that group with the final pick of the first round with … N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State.
On the second night of the draft a proverbial “who’s who” of receivers came off the board. Deebo Samuel at No. 36 to the San Francisco 49ers. A.J. Brown at 51 to the Tennessee Titans, and Mecole Hardman at 56 to the Kansas City Chiefs, and DK Metcalf at 64 with the final pick of the second round, by the Seattle Seahawks.
A pick they acquired in a trade with New England.
Now the Patriots have a ton of cap space — the most in the league — and a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye to build around. While they drafted a pair of wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker combined for 13 catches and 99 yards a season ago.
New England has the cap space and the window to build around a rookie QB. This is the move they need to make.
