The Seattle Seahawks pulled off a surprising trade on Tuesday, flipping a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for defensive back Quandre Diggs and a 2021 seventh-round pick.
The trade immediately gives Seattle added depth at both safety spots and at the nickel position, areas of need for this team now more than ever with injuries plaguing both Bradley McDougald and Lano Hill.
The Seahawks were perusing the trade market to try to find reinforcements in the secondary, but even coach Pete Carroll was surprised they were able to land Diggs, who was one of Detroit’s team captains before the trade.
“Very much so,” Carroll responded when asked how surprised he was to acquire Diggs. “I didn’t think that could be possible. We were looking, and it just happened to pop up just right.”
Diggs, 26, is having a bit of a down year — earning just a 58.7 grade from Pro Football Focus through five games — but he gives the Seahawks a physical, versatile defensive back who is known as a great tackler and has excellent leadership characteristics, all things Seattle could use in the secondary.
“A rare opportunity to get an experienced player that can fit a lot of roles, it gives us real flexibility,” Carroll continued. “John [GM John Schneider] made a great move to get this done.”
Diggs is expected to contribute primarily at the two safety spots for now, especially if McDougald remains out on Sunday.
Diggs will have to get ready to play in a hurry, with the Seahawks set to hit the road for Atlanta in just a few days to take on the Falcons on Sunday, October 27 at 10 a.m. PT.
