Deion Branch on the Trading Block?

Much has been said recently about Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch and whether or not he will be released by season’s start.

A few days ago the Tacoma News Tribune came out with what I’m calling an opinion article by saying that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch is “on the bubble.”

Since then there have been numerous reports and articles that have come out saying Deion Branch being released? Or If Deion Branch is cut (your team here) should pick him up.

The only problem is that now people are making it out to be an actual rumor that the Seahawks will cut wide receiver Deion Branch, mainly for salary cap reasons. The other being how well rookie wide receiver Deon Butler has played this preseason.

Now the reports of the Seahawks releasing Deion Branch are not true the idea that they should part with him is not that bad of an idea.

Now the only way to part with him and get something back is to trade him. Branch is slated to make $5 million this season and still is a very talented wide receiver.

However, with the addition of TJ Houshmandzadeh and Deon Butler, added to Nate Burleson and John Carlson, who is one of the top 10 tight ends in the NFL right now, there is just not room for Branch anymore.

Now which teams could the Seahawks target as a trade partner for Deion? Well you have to look at teams that are contending or at least are aiming to contend. Also they have to have a need at wide receiver.

So which teams fit the bill?

The Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, and maybe a wild card team.

Look at each of those teams. The Ravens don’t know 100 percent about Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton is currently listed as questionable. So the Ravens could look to add another quick strike wide receiver like Branch to support second year quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Jets have rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. What’s the most important thing that a font office needs to do to help a rookie quarterback? Give him some weapons. Outside of Jerricho Cotchery the Jets don’t have that big play wide receiver.

The Titans are a running team but you can’t get to the super bowl with just a running back and your defense. The Vikings showed us that. So adding Branch would be a nice addition for Vince Young.

The Chicago Bears…My lord. Watching the Bears-Broncos game I saw something that did not look good. Jay Cutler can only throw to his tight end or running back. The Bears have tried to make Devin Hester a wide receiver.

Yeah, Hester would make a great slot wide receiver but not a No. 1. The Bears need to give Cutler a true No. 1 wide receiver.

Now with all four of those teams and possibly a wild card team say maybe the Giants you have to look at see what would Seattle want in return for Branch.

The Seahawks gave up a first round pick, they won’t get a first round pick back in return however.

However, a second round pick would be a fair return in exchange for Branch. So let’s look from the Seahawks point of view, which team would have the highest second round pick overall wise.

The Titans, NO. The Ravens, NO. The NY Jets maybe, and the Chicago Bears maybe.

If the Seahawks had to chose between the Jets and the Bears it would most likely lean towards the Jets just because of the division they play in.

So the Seahawks, if they do decide to part ways with wide receiver Deion Branch would look to trade him to one of those four teams in exchange for a second round pick.

Here are Deion Branch’s stats from the 2008 season in which he missed eight games.

Thirty receptions for 412 yards and four touchdown receptions (two against New England and two against Arizona).