The Seattle Seahawks traded cornerback Michael Jackson to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday in exchange for rookie linebacker Michael Barrett. This move sees the Seahawks leveraging their depth at cornerback to strengthen a linebacker group that has been weakened by Jerome Baker’s ongoing absence due to a hamstring injury.
Barrett, a seventh-round pick out of the University of Michigan, brings familiarity with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who coached him during his time as Michigan’s defensive coordinator. Jackson, who has been with the Seahawks for the past three seasons and was a starter in 2022, found himself lower on the depth chart this year, ranking behind Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Tre Brown, and Artie Burns. The Seahawks also have promising rookies Nehemiah Pritchett, D.J. James, and undrafted Carlton Johnson in their cornerback group.
With Baker missing much of the offseason and training camp, the Seahawks have been relying on free agent Tyrel Dodson and fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight as starters, with Jon Rhattigan and Patrick O’Connell providing depth. However, Rhattigan’s nearly $3 million salary for a reserve role seems high, given he has never started a game in three seasons.
Barrett brings experience from his six years at Michigan, where he played in 62 games, recording 208 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two interceptions, mostly in his last two years.
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