The Seattle Seahawks have received an unexpected boost from fifth-round rookie wide receiver Tory Horton this season. But The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer still argued Friday that the Seahawks should be interested in acquiring another playmaker — New Orleans Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed.
Iyer pitched the idea Friday when he named 11 potential NFL trade deadline deals for contenders.
“The Seahawks have rookie Tory Horton flashing as a big-play threat, but they could use a little more experience and extra speed to complement Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Klint Kubiak’s aggressive downfield passing game,” The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer wrote on Friday. “Shaheed broke out for Kubiak when the latter was also in New Orleans.”
Shaheed earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nomination as a returner in 2023. During that season, he averaged 13.6 yards per punt return and 21.3 yards per kickoff return.
Through six games this season, Shaheed posted 26 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He also averaged 14 yards per punt return.
Why Saints Could Trade WR Rashid Shaheed?
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Saturday that New Orleans is trying to re-sign receiver Chris Olave to a long-term extension. If Olave isn’t on the trade block, it would then make sense for the Saints to offer Shaheed.
The 27-year-old is the No. 2 wideout on the Saints roster. Only Olave has more receiving yards for New Orleans this season.
But with their loss Sunday, the Saints dropped to 1-6 this season. In all likelihood, New Orleans will no longer be in playoff contention when the NFL trade deadline arrives on November 4.
That makes the Saints a prime candidate to trade assets, and Shaheed could be one of the team’s best trade chips.
Shaheed will be an unrestricted free agent next spring. Other NFL teams could be interested in the veteran as a rental player.
Unless the Saints plan to re-sign the receiver/returner, it would be best for the Saints to acquire a draft pick for the playmaker.
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