The Patriots are getting criticized by some folks for trading away top players each of the past two years, but at least they’ve been stocking up draft picks for the future (and 2010 too). The same cannot be said for the Seattle Seahawks. Their organization is trading away picks as if Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider don’t plan on being with the franchise in two years.
Since taking over the team early in the year, the duo has made several moves that impact future drafts. Here are some of the players they’ve acquired via trade and the compensation they’ve dealt away:
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> Traded 3rd round pick in 2011 to Chargers for QB Charlie Whitehurst
> Traded 4th round pick in 2011 and 5th or 6th in 2012 to Bills for RB Marshawn Lynch
> Traded (reported) 6th round pick in 2011 to 49ers for DL Kentwan Balmer
> Traded (reported) 7th round pick in 2011 to Eagles for OL Stacy Andrews
> Traded (reported) 7th round pick in 2011 to Lions for OL Tyler Polumbus
They also acquired Leon Washington and LenDale White for picks in this past year’s draft, with White getting cut and Washington practically winning a game for them on his own. Now the easy thing to say is that these are all low-level picks and probably won’t hurt them. While they weren’t as foolish as the Raiders who dealt a first-round pick for a player, people who follow football know that there are plenty of talented players available in the draft in rounds 3-7.
The Charlie Whitehurst trade stands out as the worst of the group. I don’t understand how they could justify giving up a third for a guy who was never going to be more than a backup quarterback. Other people think they got Marshawn Lynch for a low price. I disagree; I haven’t seen anything from Marshawn that indicates he can be a difference maker. Particularly on the Seahawks where their line isn’t too good, I don’t see how Lynch is going to offer much more than what they already had. Maybe Seattle sees the potential to upgrade their roster and make a run at the division and playoffs in a down NFC West. I get that, but I believe they’re hurting themselves for the future much more than they’re helping themselves in the present.
