Seattle Seahawks Could Make Massive Trade for 320-Pound Starter
Halfway through the season, and almost everything is clicking for the Seattle Seahawks. The team is 5-2, first place in the NFC West, and boasts one of the best margins of victory in the NFL, defeating opponents by an average of 8.1 points per game. Despite Seattle’s impressive start, fans and analysts have consistently pointed out a few rough edges that could be addressed before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
The most glaring issue is the interior offensive line. So far, rookie left guard Grey Zabel has lived up to his status as a first-round draft pick and looks like he could grow into a long-term foundational piece on Seattle’s offensive line. However, center Jalen Sundell and right guard Anthony Bradford have often struggled this season. Bradford, in particular, has been subject to criticism and rumors of benching. Deficiencies along the interior offensive line are partially why Seattle is gaining just 3.7 yards per carry, which ranks 27th in the league.
There are numerous players on the trade block who could upgrade Seattle’s offensive line, but one of the most intriguing, high-upside options is Raiders lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson. Given the obvious need, there’s a chance the Seahawks and GM John Schneider have already been in touch with old friend Pete Carroll about a possible deal.
What Powers-Johnson Brings to Seattle
The Raiders selected Powers-Johnson in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft at No. 44 overall. Early in his NFL career, JPJ has proven to be a versatile, mauling lineman who especially excels in the run game. He has the 14th-highest run-blocking grade of all eligible guards, according to PFF. It would be a dream pairing with OC Klint Kubiak’s run-heavy, play-action scheme. However, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox says the Raiders have soured on Powers-Johnson and could be willing to trade him.
“After refusing to play the 22-year-old at center early in the season and forcing him to battle for a starting job, head coach Pete Carroll benched the 2024 second-round pick during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs,” Knox writes. “While his early 2025 campaign hasn’t made a positive impact on Powers-Johnson’s trade value, his draft pedigree, college production and rookie tape are hard to ignore.”
Randy Gurzi, an NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, thinks Powers-Johnson could provide an immediate boost to Seattle’s offensive line. He writes, “Even this season, [Powers-Johnson is] still outperforming both Sundell and right guard Anthony Bradford, according to the analytical site.
“Seattle went into the offseason understanding they needed help on the offensive line. They made a huge investment by taking Zabel in Round 1, but they didn’t do much else. They could rectify that by calling their old coach to see what it would take to land Powers-Johnson, who has as much upside as anyone currently on the Seahawks’ offensive line.”
What the Trade Would Look Like
Even if Powers-Johnson has lost favor and playing time in Las Vegas, he remains a young, valuable asset. Knox suggests the appropriate trade value is a 2026 4th-round pick and/or a veteran cornerback. The Seahawks have fairly slim draft capital at the moment, with just six picks in 2026, but one of those is a fourth round.
Perhaps serendipitously, the Seahawks have allegedly been shopping veteran cornerback Riq Woolen for weeks. A straight-up swap could be on the table, but the Raiders would likely need to sign Woolen, currently on the last year of his rookie deal, to a long-term contract to make the trade worthwhile on their end.
Trading for Powers-Johnson would be a big swing for Seattle, but with Super Bowl aspirations mounting he could be the key piece to push them over the top.
Sean Payton Highlights Pat Bryant as “Secret Weapon” in the Broncos’ playoff push
When Sean Payton talks about players who can change the trajectory of the Denver Broncos’ season, his words carry a certain weight.
As thednvr.com noted, that praise was directed towards rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant.
“You can feel his presence now,” Payton said after Sunday’s win. “He’s playing faster, he’s playing with confidence, and when he steps on the field, it gives us another dimension.”
“That’s exactly what you want to see at this stage of the year.”
Over the past few weeks, Bryant has evolved from a rotational rookie into a trusted weapon in a Broncos offense that’s finding its rhythm over the last five quarters.
Payton called Bryant’s emergence a “vital piece” of the Broncos’ playoff push going forward and that he will continue to see more volume as the season goes on.
“Pat’s a worker,” quarterback Bo Nix said postgame.
“He’s where he’s supposed to be, he’s physical at the catch point, and he doesn’t shy away from big moments. When you see a young guy like that keep showing up, it makes you want to get him the ball.”
Bryant’s Breakout Game
In Sunday’s 44-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Bryant caught four passes for forty yards and a touchdown.
His touchdown came on a 24-yard pass from Bo Nix where Bryant hauled in an amazing catch in the end zone.
It was the kind of performance that validated the trust Denver’s coaching staff had been hinting at for weeks.
Even though Bryant only has seven receptions for 86 yards on the season, he has been starting to get more playing time and targets.
Over the last two games, Bryant has been targeted eight times, which is more than he was in the previous six games combined.
Over the last four games, the rookie wide receiver has a 54.75% snap share, which is a much larger number than his 21.75% snap share in the first four weeks of the season.
This signals the growing trust that Sean Payton has in his young receiver.
“He’s one of those guys who just keeps stacking good days,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “You don’t have to draw up anything special for him. He finds ways to make plays in the structure of what we’re doing. That’s a big deal for a rookie.”
How Bryant Can Elevate the Broncos’ offense
At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, Bryant brings a physical, reliable target that balances the route-running precision of Courtland Sutton and the speed of Troy Franklin.
His ability to win contested catches and block in space fits perfectly into Payton’s offensive system.
“He’s strong at the catch point,” Payton noted. “We’ve talked about that all year, finishing plays, competing for the ball. He does that. When you’re trying to sustain drives or punch it in down in the red zone, that stuff matters.”
As Denver enters a crucial stretch in the thick of the AFC West race, Bryant’s emergence adds a new layer to the Broncos’ offense and brings significant upside moving forward.
“Every week, I just try to do my job,” Bryant said in the locker room. “If that helps us win, that’s what I’m here for.”
With his coach calling him “vital” and his quarterback already trusting him in key moments, Pat Bryant may be the piece that helps elevate Denver’s offense as the Broncos set their sights on a Super Bowl run.
