Seahawks Trade For Quenton Nelson Changes Everything

Earlier this afternoon, we learned that the Colts are trading away eight-time Pro Bowl left guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks. Indianapolis is trading away Nelson to Seattle for a 2027 third-round pick and a fifth-round pick next year.

Quenton Nelson Fixes The Seahawks’ Biggest Offensive Line Weakness 

Obviously, acquiring one of the best guards in the league makes this trade for Seattle a great move. But this trade is such a phenomenal acquisition for reasons beyond just that.

For one, Nelson helps significantly improve their interior offensive line, which has been a weak spot for the Seahawks. Especially at center and right guard, as Jalen Sundell is a below-average center.

Seattle’s second year is good in pass protection as he ranks ninth out of thirty-five qualified centers in pass blocking grade at 73.2 per PFF. Sundell is a below-average run blocker, ranking twenty-fifth amongst qualified centers with a run block grade of 59.5

Anthony Bradford, who’s been the Seahawks’ starting right guard for the past few years, has been a weak link on their offensive line during this time. This year in particular Bradford has only played two games this season and just came back in the lineup this previous Sunday.

As he was placed on injured reserve after week one due to suffering knee and hip injuries. In his absence, Seattle rotated between Christian Haynes and Beau Stephens at right guard.

Haynes and Stephens both were better than the level Bradford typically plays at. Even then, the two guards only played at a below-average level.

Seahawks Got Quenton Nelson Essentially For Nothing

In their new addition, the Seahawks are getting a left guard who, despite being thirty years old, is still one of the cream of the crop at his position. Nelson, so far this season per PFF, out of seventy-four qualifying guards, ranks seventh as a run blocker, third in pass blocking grade and overall grade.

Among guards with at least 100 pass-block snaps, Sumer Sports has Nelson ranked ninth in pressure rate, tied for first in sacks allowed and impact blocks so far this year. Getting this level of a player for a third-round pick and a future fifth-round pick is great value.

Trading a third-round pick isn’t nothing, but for the Seahawks it kind of is. This is the case because Seattle will be receiving a third-round pick for losing Nolan Teasley from their front office this past offseason.

As he went on to become the Vikings general manager, Seattle is also expected to receive four contemporary picks for this upcoming draft. This is a result of losing Kenneth Walker, Tariq Woolen, Kobe Bryant, and Boye Mafe this past free agency.

Meaning the Seahawks had an extra third-round pick to spare to make a midseason trade like this. In order to give themselves a better chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions this season.

Quenton Nelson’s Arrival Could Unlock Grey Zabel

Trading for Nelson gives Seattle the flexibility to move Grey Zabel from left guard to right guard. Zabel has been up and down at left guard; last year he finished the regular season with a 59.5 PFF overall grade.

But from week fourteen through the Super Bowl, Zabel seemed to be putting it together. During this stretch, the former North Dakota State product recorded an 80.6 overall PFF grade.

Zabel this season hasn’t touched the levels he reached from week fourteen through Seattle’s playoff run. Up to this point of the year, Zabel ranks thirty-first in pass blocking grade, forty-fifth in run blocking grade, and forty-third in overall grade.

Yet there’s upside for us to see Zabel play more closer to the level he did through the tail end of last season. As the former first-round pick is not playing at his natural position, Zabel in college actually played at right guard.

Seattle can now move their second-year guard to his natural position, who, despite not playing at that spot, still showed flashes of high-end play. Now they’re replacing him with an elite left guard, who’s also a hand-in-glove fit.

Quenton Nelson Is A Hand In Glove Fit For Seahawks Run Game

Nelson is a hand-in-glove fit because Seattle runs outside zone at one of the highest rates in the NFL. They currently rank fourth in outside zone rates throughout the league at 38.3 percent, and Nelson is one of the best impact interior offensive linemen at it.

Saying the former Colt will boost the Seahawks’ run game is underselling it. Seattle is averaging 2.75 yards per carry on runs aimed at the left B Gap this season.

Indianapolis on runs aimed at the left B gap, which is where Nelson lines up, averaged 5.90 yards per carry per Sumer Sports. For a Seahawks rushing attack that’s been below average this season, Nelson will certainly help change that for the better.

Are The Colts Trading Away Jonthan Taylor Next?

While to me Indianapolis should’ve played hardball in negotiations for a second-round pick to trade away Nelson. Even taking into account he’s thirty years old and is in the last year of his contract, Nelson is well worth a second-rounder.

This trade for the Indianapolis signals they’re in fire sale mode, and we didn’t have to wait long for this to be confirmed. Four hours after trading Nelson, the Colts traded DeForest Buckner to the 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Indianapolis trading away both Nelson and Buckner in the span of hours could mean a Jonathan Taylor trade is well on the way.

End Of Seahawks Trading For Quenton Nelson Rant 

With the NFL trade deadline only two weeks away, more trades are on the horizon. This trade is most likely one of the biggest we’ll see from this year’s deadline, but it means two completely different things for the teams involved.

Seattle with this trade has massively boosted their chances of going back to back. While the Colts are now holding up an everybody is for sale sign.