The NFL trade deadline is three weeks away, and half the league can’t wait to get their hands on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. Fans and analysts of the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be particularly keen on dealing for number 14 at the trade deadline this year. Most Seattle fans balk at the idea, as they always have. There are a few exceptions, though.

Earlier today on Seattle Sports radio, Mike Salk suggested that the Seahawks should explore a trade for Metcalf. Here’s a portion of what Salk wrote about trading DK:

ESPN on trading DK Metcalf

“He is certainly a top 20 player at his position.But he is also penalty-prone (both in terms of unsportsmanlike conduct and offensive pass interference), not blessed with top-notch hands, and (like many at his position) emotional, moody and overreactive to not getting the ball as often as he would like. While he has had moments that show he can be a great teammate and leader, those have generally faded during times of adversity, and we’ve seen him physically attack teammates during practice.”

Later on in the day, NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah was a guest on the show, and he was asked if he would trade Metcalf for a haul similar to the AJ Brown deal – a first-round pick and a third-round pick. Here was his response.

Daniel Jeremiah on DK Metcalf trade proposal

“I’d be tempted. That’s a big haul at this point in time, plus it’s from a contract standpoint… resets some things there. Look, if DK was a culture setter, team leader, all those things – which I don’t know from the outside – when you have the ability that he has if he checked every single one of those other boxes it’d probably be hard for me to move him. But, just based on one story and one story alone that you guys are telling me that would seem to not be the case. So, yeah. A one and a three is a high price for a receiver when they’re plentiful in the draft each and every year.”

Why the Seahawks should never trade DK Metcalf

Receivers may be plentiful in the draft, but they don’t make a lot of them like DK Metcalf. From where we’re sitting, Metcalf should be considered untradeable at least until he is past his peak physically – and that’s at least another 3-4 years from now. There’s also a decent chance Metcalf will still be productive well into his 30s given his size and overall athletic profile. Even with the fumble issues, even with the temper tantrums, you don’t trade an athlete like this unless you’re getting an absolutely stupid return for him.

When the Titans traded AJ Brown to the Eagles, they gave up the 18th overall pick and the 101st overall pick in the draft. That doesn’t sound quite as nice as a generic first and a third, does it? A top-five pick is a very different animal than the 18th pick in the draft – which might not even net you a prospect with a first-round grade.

That means they’d really be getting a second and a third-rounder for Metcalf, which just doesn’t sound like enough – at least not at this point in his career. Until he’s past his prime or somebody offers at least a top-10 overall pick and a late second for Metcalf, the Seahawks shouldn’t even blink.

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