Seahawks Should Explore Trading for Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue if They Can't Re-Sign Jadeveon Clowney
The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly planning to place the franchise tag on Yannick Ngakoue. The only problem is he has made it clear he doesn't want to return to the team.
The likely outcome is the team tagging the defensive end and immediately offering him up in a trade. One team that should be calling right away is the Seattle Seahawks.
Incredibly trusted source @TonyPauline says the #Seahawks want to trade for Yannick Ngakoue. Suggests a R2 pick and Seattle swapping #27 for #49. https://t.co/kYFVSkBqER
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) March 5, 2020
The top goal for the Seahawks at the start of the league year is to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, but that's no guarantee. The team has nearly $45 million in cap space, which means the front office can take on Ngakoue at the franchise tag price of just over $19 million if a deal with the Jags becomes a reality. Not a bad Plan B, right?
Ngakoue is one of the best defensive ends in the game and will only be 25 years old when the season begins.
Jags will use franchise tag on Yannick Ngakoue; tag for DEs carries an approximate salary of $19.3 million. In four seasons, Ngakoue has 37.5 sacks and has forced 14 fumbles, which is fourth in NFL over that span behind Khalil Mack (17), Chandler Jones (17) and T.J. Watt (15).
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2020
What if we got crazy and also considered the possibility of the Seahawks getting a deal done for both of these guys? They traded for Clowney last year with the intention of signing him long term. The same can be true with Ngakoue. Invest in the future of the defensive line and call it an offseason! Take care of the other needs through the draft.
A Legion of Boom on the D-line? Sign us up!
With Yannick Ngakoue reportedly wanting out of Jacksonville, could the Seahawks trade for him — and re-sign Jadeveon Clowney? @bcondotta looks into that possibility and more in his latest mailbag: https://t.co/yzxXyXkbFk
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) March 5, 2020
While that part of the scenario is a pipe dream, Seattle keeping tabs on Ngakoue is not. The front office needs to be diligent on that front this offseason if a deal can't get done with Clowney. The Jags' star would be a formidable replacement in the event that happens.