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NFL Trade Machine: Joe Thomas To Seahawks

By Erik Lambert

Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) jogs onto the field during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) jogs onto the field during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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If there is one team in the NFL that is plowing straight into a rebuild mode, it’s the Cleveland Browns.  That means selling off any valuable pieces they have in favor of acquiring as many draft picks as possible, hoping to begin filling the roster with young, cheap talent.  Perhaps the only name they have left worth something is left tackle Joe Thomas.

The 31-year old has been a model of consistency throughout what could be a Hall of Fame career.  He has reached nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 2007 to 2015 and never missed a game.  It seems like just plain bad luck he ended up on a team that so horribly misused his incredible talents.  Now, just his prime is ebbing, they may be interested in trading him before the value becomes too low.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports believes there is one team out there to make such a move.

"“Seattle, a team with an aggressive and bold general manager in John Schneider, has an opening at left tackle with injured Russell Okung moving on and the Seahawks not making a move in free agency. This kind of swashbuckling deal — with the Seahawks picking 26th and still firmly in Super Bowl-now mode — would be right up his alley. Some of his peers see him as a prime trade partner, though league sources have indicated that the slew of big contracts handed out by the Seahawks probably has to stop at some point, and they did just deal their top pick to take on tight end Jimmy Graham’s huge deal a year ago.”"

Bold moves are why the Seahawks remain a contender but even they aren’t likely to surrender a 1st round pick for even somebody as proven as Thomas at this point.  Now that might change if the Browns were willing to accept a 2nd rounder.  With two picks slated for the 3rd round it’s the kind of sacrifice a loaded team like Seattle can afford.

Thomas would of course sign off on this since it gives him the first real opportunity of his career to get a ring.  Whether Cleveland is willing to allow it in a last ditch surge of denial that they can still compete before he reaches retirement is the big wild card.

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