Richard Sherman: 5 Possible Trade Destinations for Cornerback
With rumors circulating that four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman could be available in a trade, we look at five possible destinations
There have been a few trades that came out of left field this offseason. One was when the New England Patriots traded for defensive end Kony Ealy from the Carolina Panthers. Ealy is a talented young pass rusher and it was surprising to see the Panthers move on from him after he had performed well as a rotational player in their defensive line.
The Patriots were involved in another interesting one as they obtained wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who suddenly became the man the New Orleans Saints had to get rid of. Now there could be another team suddenly trading away a good player, and the Cooks trade started the conversation on it.
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi was discussing the Saints desire to deal Cooks on The Ringer NFL Show podcast and broached the subject of the Seattle Seahawks parting ways with four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman, via Des Bieler of the Washington Post:
"For the Saints, if they were to call the Seattle Seahawks up and say, 'Look, we would be interested in obtaining Richard Sherman — would you be willing to do it?' I truly believe, based on what I hear around the National Football League, that the Seahawks would, in fact, for the right deal, trade Richard Sherman."
Sherman is a great player for sure, but it's easy to see how he can wear thin on a team. He is a lightning rod and has a knack for stirring up drama with his lack of a filter. Sherman has called players out in post-game interviews, ripped ESPN analysts on air and started sideline arguments during his time in Seattle.
Perhaps the Seahawks could seriously imagine life without the brash Sherman, and his massive cap-hit. Especially if the price is right. Here are five teams that may be desperate enough at the corner position to offer a package that would entice Seattle to trade Sherman.
Nov 20, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Philadelphia, 26-15. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Maybe the Philadelphia Eagles should be out of the cornerback market. In 2011, they gave former Oakland Raiders corner Nnamdi Asomugha a five-year, $60 million contract. He was supposed to be a shutdown corner and an essential part of one of the most polarizing group of free agent signings in recent NFL history.
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Instead, he became one of the most despised players in Eagles fans' memories and was cut after two incredibly disappointing seasons. He retired in 2013, after realizing no one else wanted him once they watched his game film in the City of Brotherly Love.
Then, Philly gave a huge deal to Seattle's Byron Maxwell. Sherman's old teammate got a six-year, $63 million contract and was just about as bad as Asomugah. He was traded after just one season and they tried to replace him with a much cheaper alternative in former Buffalo Bills defensive back Leodis McKelvin. The Troy product was given $6.2 million for two seasons and only lasted one.
Still, the Eagles can't think every corner they get is cursed. Right? Perhaps if they were able to get Sherman from the Seahawks their fortune would finally work out for the best. He would definitely fill a need for the team, and Sherman wouldn't be too angry about the move as the Eagles are a franchise on the rise.
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) tips the ball against San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) for an interception by Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
4. Oakland Raiders
Wouldn't this be fun? Putting Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Richard Sherman in the same locker room would be great. These are the two guys who went head-to-head in the 2014 NFC title game when Sherman's Seahawks bested the San Francisco 49ers, who Crabtree was a member of then.
After defending the pass intended for Crabtree that wound up in a game-sealing interception, Sherman went off on Crabtree in a post-game interview with Erin Andrews, as transcribed by Ben Eagle of SI.com:
— [Sherman:] Well, I'm the best corner in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you gonna get! Don't you EVER talk about me.
— [Andrews:] Who was talking about you?
— [Sherman:] Crabtree. Don't you open your mouth about the best. Or I'm gonna shut it for you real quick. L-O-B.
Of course emotions were high at the time, so maybe Sherman doesn't really despise Crabtree all that much. Also, the Raiders may not even care.
This is a team desperate for some help on the defensive side and corner is one of their weaker spots. A trade for Sherman would help shore things up and a little thing like two people disliking one another can't stop progress. Besides, with 53 guys on a roster, it's a pretty safe bet these won't be the only two who aren't friendly.
Oct 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts after New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman (16) catches a pass during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Seahawks 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
3. New Orleans Saints
Speaking of teams that are desperate for corner help, the New Orleans Saints were actually the worst pass defense in the entire NFL in 2016. They surrendered a horrendous 273.8 yards per game through the air, and they need a ton of help covering receivers.
Rumors have had them looking into trading for the New England Patriots corner Malcolm Butler, but Sherman would be an even better move by them. Besides, New Orleans was the team Lombardi was talking about in the first place to get this conversation started.
The Saints and Seahawks also have a history of working with one another. A couple of seasons ago New Orleans picked up a first round pick from Seattle as well as a starting center in Max Unger for tight end Jimmy Graham. Could the two work together once again to find some common ground to make them both happy?
One thing that could help facilitate a trade between these two teams is the two first round picks currently held by the Saints. They could part ways with the second of those two—which would be the 32nd overall pick—as well as some additional capital like a mid round pick. Perhaps that could be enough to entice Seattle to give New Orleans a certifiable number one cover corner.
Nov 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
2. Dallas Cowboys
Another team that's desperate for help at cornerback is the Dallas Cowboys. They were already somewhat suspect at this position in 2016, but got even worse with the departure of both starting corners Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr.
With their exodus though, Dallas now has an opportunity to improve at a position of weakness. The lone move they have made so far is to sign former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Nolan Carroll—a comparable player to Carr.
To replace Claiborne, they could consider a trade fro Richard Sherman. Originally a sixth-overall pick in 2012, Claiborne was supposed to be the type of game-changing player Sherman has become for Seattle. Instead he spent most of his career injured and the Boys let him walk after five disappointing seasons.
Dallas currently is cap-strapped, but that doesn't make a move impossible. They can free up some money by moving on from quarterback Tony Romo—although that would be a post-June 1st savings and would force a delay in any trade. They also just got about $5 million is pace with the sudden retirement of right tackle Doug Free.
One thing that's true with Dallas, though, is their cap is a rather fluid thing. If they wanted Sherman, the one sticking point with them would be compensation for Seattle rather than the player. They always seem to find a way to pay the players they want to.
Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) following the Falcons 36-20 victory in the NFC Divisional playoff at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Atlanta Falcons
After getting just seconds away from winning Super Bowl 51, the Atlanta Falcons have spent all offseason thinking about what could have been. One of the biggest reasons for their loss was the inability of their defense to stop the New England Patriots receivers, who dissected the Falcons secondary in the biggest Super Bowl comeback ever.
Making this problem worse was the loss of cornerback Desmond Trufant, who was sent to the IR with a shoulder injury just past the mid-way point. Without a legitimate top corner, Atlanta was unable to stop anyone on New England.
While Trufant should be ready to go this season, the injury he suffered showed the need for a contending team to be deep at such a vital position. That need could lead the Atlanta Falcons to acquire Sherman.
What makes Atlanta intriguing for such a move is the relationship between Sherman and Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. In 2013 and 2014, Quinn was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, and was the man behind the birth of the Legion of Boom. Sherman recorded 12 interceptions in his two seasons with Quinn calling plays and the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII with him as the defensive coordinator.
Reuniting Sherman and Quinn would have great results for the Falcons. It would also do wonders for drawing some attention to them as they open their new stadium this coming season.