In a fascinating “what could have been” moment, the Seattle Seahawks almost added one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers to their roster in the 2019 NFL Draft.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Seattle had a trade agreement in place with the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire the No. 35 pick in the second round. The plan was to select wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who would later go on to become one of the premier dual-threat players in the league. However, in a twist of fate, the Raiders unexpectedly reneged on the deal, changing the course of the Seahawks’ draft and the trajectory of their wide receiver corps.
Seattle’s plan had been to move up in the second round to snag Samuel, but just before the trade was finalized, the Raiders chose to send the No. 35 pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars instead. With that selection, the Jaguars chose offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, leaving Seattle to wonder what could have been. According to Schefter, the Seahawks never fully understood why the Raiders backed out of the deal, as sources within the team indicated that there was no clear reason for the sudden change in direction.
Despite missing out on Samuel, the Seahawks were not left empty-handed. With the very next pick in the second round, Seattle selected DK Metcalf at No. 64 overall, a choice that has paid off tremendously. Metcalf has blossomed into one of the most physically dominant wide receivers in the NFL, accumulating over 5,900 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns through his first six seasons. He has solidified his role as Seattle’s top receiving threat, making him a cornerstone of the Seahawks’ offense.
However, what makes this missed opportunity even more intriguing is that the Seahawks’ original plan had been to draft both Samuel and Metcalf. According to Schefter, the team envisioned a dynamic duo that would have redefined the wide receiver position in Seattle. They intended to secure Samuel with the No. 35 pick and then get Metcalf later in the round. After the Raiders’ change of heart, Seattle had to shift their strategy, but they still managed to make Metcalf their man in a trade with the New England Patriots. In exchange for a third- and fourth-round pick, Seattle moved up to No. 64 and made the pick that has since paid off in spades.
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Had the Seahawks’ original plan come to fruition, the pairing of Samuel and Metcalf in Seattle’s offense would have been a tantalizing prospect. Samuel, with his versatile playmaking ability, brings an additional layer of dynamic skill to any offense. His combination of receiving and rushing ability, paired with his ability to make plays after the catch, has made him a unique weapon for the San Francisco 49ers. Through six seasons, Samuel has accumulated 4,590 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns, and 1,087 rushing yards, with another 20 rushing touchdowns to his name. His ability to change the game in multiple ways would have added an extra dimension to the Seahawks’ offense, particularly during the prime years of quarterback Russell Wilson.
Instead, Samuel has remained a thorn in the side of the Seahawks, playing for division rival San Francisco. In their matchups over the years, Samuel has often been a focal point for the 49ers, using his all-around skill set to disrupt Seattle’s defense. It’s easy to imagine how dangerous a combination of Metcalf and Samuel would have been, giving Wilson two versatile weapons who could both stretch the field and create explosive plays in the open field.
While the Seahawks undoubtedly got the right player in Metcalf, the missed opportunity with Samuel highlights just how unpredictable the draft can be. The ripple effects of this trade snafu can still be felt today, as both players have gone on to establish themselves as two of the most exciting wide receivers in the NFL. For Seattle, while they have Metcalf as their undisputed No. 1 receiver, the addition of Samuel could have provided a more balanced and high-powered offense, especially in those years when Wilson was at his peak.
Looking back, the situation feels like a missed opportunity for the Seahawks. A Samuel-Metcalf pairing could have made Seattle’s offense even more potent during the Wilson-led years, providing him with a versatile and dynamic duo that could have rivaled some of the best in the NFL. But with the Raiders’ unexpected decision to pivot, the Seahawks were left with Metcalf alone, and the 49ers were able to snag the player who would become one of their most lethal offensive weapons.
In hindsight, both teams appear to have gotten strong players out of the deal. Metcalf has become a staple in Seattle’s offense, and Samuel has done the same for the 49ers. However, one can’t help but wonder how different the NFC West could have looked if the Seahawks had landed both players and formed a tandem that could have terrorized defenses for years.
For the Seahawks, there’s no going back, but it’s clear that the decision to pivot after the Raiders’ change of heart had a lasting impact on the team’s offensive strategy. While Metcalf is undoubtedly a star, Samuel’s unique skill set could have complemented him perfectly, giving Seattle a true one-two punch. In the end, Seattle’s offense has been solid with Metcalf as the centerpiece, but the prospect of what could have been with Samuel remains a fascinating “what if” in Seahawks history.
As for Samuel, he’s thrived with the 49ers, carving out a role as one of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons. Whether as a receiver or a running back, his ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways has made him indispensable to the 49ers’ offense. For the Seahawks, the only thing they can do now is face him twice a season as a member of a fierce NFC West rival. The chance to pair him with Metcalf may have slipped away, but that doesn’t stop the intrigue of what might have been.
In the end, the NFL draft is a game of timing and opportunities, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. The Seahawks’ original plan to draft both Samuel and Metcalf was ambitious, but in the end, they made the best of a difficult situation. And for the 49ers, landing Samuel has been nothing short of a win.