The Seattle Seahawks have acquired a Pro Bowler from the Kansas City Chiefs in a trade yesterday. However, that is not the only move the team made, as they added a former first-round pick, Marcus Smith. Plus, the Denver Broncos got hit with more bad news on the injury front, this time involving linebacker Shane Ray.
Seahawks acquire D.J. Alexander from Chiefs
The Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs performed a rare player for player trade yesterday. In return for getting linebacker D.J. Alexander, the Seahawks sent Kevin Pierre-Louis out to Kansas City.
Alexander was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 draft out of Oregon State. Alexander has played sparsely at linebacker, only starting one game in two seasons. However, the 25-year-old has become a special teams standout, even making the Pro Bowl last season as a special teamer.
Pierre-Louis was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 draft out of Boston College. He has also played more on special teams than at linebacker, only starting one of the 34 games he has played in over the past three three seasons. The move to trade for the 25-year-old is seen as giving the Chiefs more depth at linebacker.
Seattle also adds Marcus Smith
A few days ago the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with first-round bust Marcus Smith. Now, the Seattle Seahawks are signing him after Smith cleared waivers.
Smith was drafted with the 26th overall pick out of Louisville in the 2014 draft but never started a game with the Eagles in three seasons.
In the 37 games he did play in, he managed 23 tackles and 4 sacks. The Seahawks are going to have Smith compete for playing time at strongside linebacker and want to see if he can develop a pass rush.
However, the 25-year-old will have to also make an impact on special teams in order to keep a spot on the team's roster.
Shane Ray is going to miss six to eight weeks
The Denver Broncos announced today that 2015 first-round pick Shane Ray is going to miss six to eight weeks, coming only two days after the news that Devonate Booker will miss six weeks. Ray suffered a torn ligament in his left wrist on the team's second day of training camp.
After starting eight games last season, Ray seemed poised to have a breakout season this year, as he was elevated to the full time starting role after DeMarcus Ware retired. Last season, Ray recorded 33 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumbles recoveries and a defensive touchdown.
