Seattle Seahawks Trade Josh Wilson to Baltimore Ravens

ESPN Insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the Seahawks have traded cornerback Josh Wilson, a former second-round pick (55th overall in 2007), to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick.

Wilson had been battling Kelly Jennings for Seattle’s No. 2 cornerback spot, and even started last Saturday against the Vikings, opposite of Marcus Trufant.

Wilson has also been a significant special teams contributor as a kickoff return specialist, and has shown a knack for making big plays as a nickel corner, having returned three interceptions for touchdowns since coming into the league in 2007.

The impressive physical play of Roy Lewis as well as the emergence of Walter Thurmond III this preseason are what seem to have made Wilson expendable, as the revised Seattle defensive scheme favors defensive backs who can play physical at the line and are good in press coverage.

This criteria is more characteristic of Trufant, Jennings, Lewis and Thurmund III than it is Wilson, and therefore John Schneider may have seen an opportunity to either replenish or stockpile another pick for next season.

Wilson’s value would seem to reflect that of something closer to a low third or high fourth-round pick, but early reports suggest that the conditional fifth-rounder acquired by Seattle in this deal, could become a fourth if certain undisclosed conditions are met.

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