Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been one of the NFL’s more consistent players since entering the league, but the longtime veteran could be on the trade block. Now entering his age-32 season, the former third-round pick has slowed down but is still a productive part of Seattle’s passing attack. Last year, the wideout finished the season with 79 receptions for 894 yards and five touchdowns, serving as an ideal WR2 behind star wideout DK Metcalf.
Teams have tried to trade for Metcalf earlier in the offseason, but Seattle seems unwilling to part ways with their top receiving weapon. With that in mind, if Seattle is trying to get younger and add more picks, they could be willing to trade Tyler Lockett. While he wouldn’t fetch the same return as Metcalf, the one-time Pro Bowler should still interest several teams looking to win it all or support their quarterback.
Sneakiest post June 1st veteran WR trade targets are not the flashier names with Aiyuk, Higgins, DK, Deebo, C Sutton
Guys on non-contending teams, low salary, still healthy & productive…
Tyler Lockett – $4.6M
Adam Thielen – $5.5M
Darius Slayton – $2.5M
Jakobi Meyers – $5M— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) May 11, 2024
Tyler Lockett Could Be A “Sneaky” Trade Candidate
The Seahawks aren’t the worst team in the league, but they’re not true contenders. With Pete Carroll gone, first-year Mike Macdonald has the opportunity to shape this team in his image. Chances are, that long-term vision will not include the aging Tyler Lockett, so they might as well trade him. Seattle has two reliable receivers in Metcalf and 2023 first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba, so Lockett is not vital to the survival of this passing attack. While true contenders trying to win it all usually need three prominent weapons, Seattle isn’t going to win a championship with Geno Smith and this mediocre defense.
Seattle has every reason to trade Tyler Lockett, and teams around the league should be interested in acquiring the veteran. Whether it’s bringing him in as the missing piece for a contender, or simply providing a veteran presence for a young quarterback, the longtime Seahawk should have multiple suitors willing to give up a Day 3 pick for his services.
Possible Destinations
Carolina Panthers
As discussed in an earlier article, the Carolina Panthers probably won’t trade Adam Thielen. With that being said, the former Viking is on the older side and Carolina could use another set of hands. Tyler Lockett is no spring chicken himself, but the longtime Seahawk can ensure that Bryce Young will have at least three reliable playmakers in 2024. Lockett, Thielen, and Diontae Johnson can form a solid trio and won’t force rookie Xavier Legette to start if he’s not ready. After all, he needed five years to break out in college, so he will probably need time to adjust to the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are looking to trade for a wide receiver like Tyler Lockett. While George Pickens looks like the real deal, the rest of the depth chart leaves quite a bit to be desired. Russell Wilson can’t singlehandedly carry a team at this point in his career and Pittsburgh shouldn’t put too much pressure on rookie wideout Roman Wilson. Lockett and Wilson have a proven track record from their time in Seattle, so it shouldn’t take long for either player to adjust to life in Pittsburgh.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys must do something to improve this team at some point, right? Dak Prescott isn’t getting any cheaper, so this could be the best chance Dallas will ever get to win it all. While owner Jerry Jones seems content to sit back and do nothing, a Tyler Lockett trade might be too good to ignore. CeeDee Lamb is one of the best in the game, but the Cowboys could use another reliable set of hands. Brandin Cooks is better as a depth player at this point in his career, and Lockett could be the missing piece to take this team on a deep playoff run.
Kansas City Chiefs
Any chance of Rashee Rice getting off easy ended when the receiver allegedly assaulted a photographer in Dallas. With a year-long suspension on the table, the Chiefs should consider a Tyler Lockett trade. Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown are both high-risk, high-reward players at this stage in their respective careers, so they could use a player with a safe floor like Lockett to provide a steadying presence in this offense. If Brown and Worthy hit the ground running, Lockett can be the best fourth option in football. However, if one or both struggle in Kansas City, Lockett’s presence will ensure Mahomes has someone other than Kelce to target.
Los Angeles Chargers
In a perfect world, Quentin Johnston will overcome his atrocious rookie season and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey will hit the ground running. However, this is not a perfect world, and Los Angeles should trade for a reliable veteran like Tyler Lockett. Justin Herbert is a fantastic player, but he can’t do it all on his own. With no financial restrictions to speak of, nothing stands in the way of Los Angeles making a move for the veteran wideout.
Main Photo: Christoper Hanewinc – USA Today Sports
