Seahawks Acquire Versatile Arcega-Whiteside In Early 2022 Trade With Eagles
The Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles completed a weird trade by swapping Ugo Amadi for JJ Arcega-Whiteside on Monday.
Out of seemingly nowhere, the Seahawks made a trade with the Eagles to start the week by sending corner Ugo Amadi to Philadelphia to acquire wide receiver/tight end JJ Arcega-Whiteside. A second chance move for both players individually, but what does the move mean for Seattle?
Seahawks Move On From Amadi, Add Versatile Arcega-Whiteside
Amadi, who played mostly as a nickel back during his NFL career after being drafted as a safety in the 2019 NFL Draft, closes his time with the Seahawks after three seasons. Throughout his three years, Amadi registered 125 tackles, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovered, six PBUs, and a single interception.
Head Coach Pete Carroll knew Ugo was a safety during his college years with the Oregon Ducks, but wanted to get him involved in the secondary by switching him to nickel cornerback. There, he played most of his 47 games (12 starts) with Seattle. He wasn’t a bad player, Amadi was often targeted by opposing elite receivers when he was on the field.
One example of the targeting is WR Davante Adams in games against the Packers. This didn’t go very well for either Amadi or Seattle. Ugo was mostly a special team asset and part of the depth in the secondary rather than a reliable starting corner.
Then there’s the asset Seattle acquired in the trade, JJ Arcega-Whiteside. The converted tight end is also from the ’19 Draft and he was taken before DK Metcalf in the second round (57th overall). During his three seasons with the Eagles, he recorded 16 catches, 290 receiving yards, and only one score. Clearly, he doesn’t have the biggest resume.
This trade could be a second chance for both players.
The Seahawks have had problems when it comes to depth at the wide receiver position, and the team has expressed its wishes to use Arcega-Whiteside at this spot. Second-year Dee Eskridge has been dealing with injuries in his short career, Marquise Goodwin is a one-year plan for the slot spot, and the rookies Dareke Young and Bo Melton are unproven.
Arcega-Whiteside has the versatility Coach Carroll loves in players. As the tight end position is mostly covered with newcomer Noah Fant, re-signed Will Dissly, and Colby Parkinson, Arcega-Whiteside can contribute mostly at the receiver spot and add depth in tight end-heavy packages.
He made the switch from receiver to tight end just this offseason, so we haven’t seen him play tight end. This trade makes more sense when you realize Seattle completed this trade the same day they placed WR Cody Thompson (who had a big training camp) on injured reserve.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside has another talent Carroll and general manager John Schneider love: he’s a good special teamer. When it comes to skills themselves, he brings a skillset to the table similar to what Eskridge brings, but may be a healthier player. It may be difficult for JJ to make the roster, but he has potential to contribute in many areas.
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