The Seattle Seahawks are entering the 2025 NFL season with a roster brimming with potential and a new coaching regime looking to put its stamp on the team. While the Seahawks have several weapons on offense, there’s one element that could take their passing game to another level: speed. Specifically, a burner at wide receiver who can stretch the field vertically and open things up underneath for the rest of the offense. With that in mind, the Seahawks should consider picking up the phone and calling the New Orleans Saints to explore a trade for one of their fastest assets—potentially Rashid Shaheed.
Shaheed, an undrafted gem from Weber State, has carved out a meaningful role in New Orleans thanks to his blazing speed and underrated route-running ability. Clocking in at over 21 miles per hour on some of his top in-game sprints, he’s among the fastest players in the league. Despite playing in a Saints offense that has often struggled with consistency at quarterback and lacked a true identity in recent years, Shaheed has managed to flash game-breaking ability whenever given the opportunity.
Seattle’s current wide receiver room features DK Metcalf, a physical freak and red-zone nightmare; Tyler Lockett, a technician and reliable veteran with an innate sense of space and timing; and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, an ascending slot weapon poised for a breakout. However, what this trio lacks is a true field-stretching speedster—the kind of player who forces safeties to play deeper and creates wider lanes for crossing routes and the run game.
A player like Shaheed would instantly inject that element of danger into the Seahawks’ offense. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, coming off a wildly successful stint at the University of Washington, favors an aggressive vertical passing attack. Adding a player who can win deep consistently would not only suit Grubb’s scheme but also maximize quarterback Geno Smith’s deep-ball accuracy, which has been one of his quiet strengths since taking over the starting job.
The Saints, meanwhile, are entering a season of transition themselves. After years of trying to stay competitive post-Drew Brees, they may finally be at a crossroads. With limited cap space and a potentially rebuilding roster, moving a player like Shaheed—especially if they feel confident in other young receivers like A.T. Perry or if they’re looking to acquire draft capital—could make sense. Trading from a position of relative strength to address other areas of need is a strategy the Saints’ front office could entertain.
For the Seahawks, the cost would likely be manageable. A mid-round draft pick or a package involving a player who could help the Saints in the trenches or on defense might be enough to get the deal done. It’s a low-risk, high-upside move that fits with general manager John Schneider’s history of finding value through trades. Think back to the acquisition of Quandre Diggs or even the more aggressive move for Jamal Adams—Seattle has never been shy about exploring the trade market.
What makes this potential trade even more compelling is the way it complements what Seattle already does well. With Shaheed commanding attention over the top, defenses would have to respect the deep threat, likely reducing the number of stacked boxes against Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the run game. It would also allow more creative route combinations for Metcalf and Smith-Njigba, who thrive on intermediate and crossing patterns.
This isn’t just about adding another receiver—it’s about adding a unique skill set that could transform the offense. The Seahawks have the foundation in place to be a playoff contender, but in a competitive NFC West, they need every edge they can get. Acquiring a player like Rashid Shaheed could be the kind of move that pays dividends come December and beyond.
Whether or not a deal ultimately comes to fruition, the idea of targeting a speed receiver makes football sense for Seattle. With a new coaching staff eager to modernize and energize the offense, the Seahawks should explore all avenues—and that includes calling up the Saints to see what it might take to land one of the league’s most electrifying deep threats.
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