This Seahawks-Bengals Trade for John Ross Could Give Seattle a Low-Key Awesome WR Corps

Running 40 yards in a straight line in your underwear without any sort of defender chasing you doesn't immediately put you on a path to NFL stardom, as evidenced by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross.

Ross was picked ninth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft after a blazing 4.22 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he's looked more at home running the 100m dash than lining up at wide receiver. After catching just 49 passes in three years, Ross has fallen to fifth on the depth chart behind Auden Tate and the newly-acquired Tee Higgins. Furthermore, Cincinnati declined to pick up his fifth-year option.

Ross might be rejuvenated if a team like the Seattle Seahawks brings the California native and Washington alum back to the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle could pick up the speedy Ross for a late pick -- let's say a sixth-round selection. The Seahawks have a strong foundation in their receiving corps between DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, so gambling on Ross' speed is worth it for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks' vertical passing game.

While Seattle figures out how to use this potential game-breaker, Cincinnati would get another late-rounder to surround Joe Burrow with more talent or improve the defense come 2021.

Ross has never had a consistent role in Cincinnati, and it's probably best for all parties involved if he tries to re-start his pro career in a place like Seattle where offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer could find creative ways to get him the ball.