In the spirit of Christmas and the season of giving it just feels right to look back at the trade that sent receiver Percy Harvin from the Minnesota Vikings to the Seattle Seahawks. As it stands right now, the Seahawks were especially giving.
On March 11, the Vikings and Seahawks agreed on a trade for Percy Harvin. The two teams have been doing fairly regular business since Seattle got themselves a team in 1976. It kicked off with the incredibly one-sided trade that netted the Vikings receiver Ahmad Rashad for a fourth round pick. Thirty-seven years later the Vikings sent Harvin to Seattle for a first and seventh round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and a third round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. With the two picks last spring, the Vikings selected Florida St. corner Xavier Rhodes in the first round and North Carolina offensive lineman Travis Bond in the seventh. Rhodes has steadily improved all season. An ankle injury against Baltimore in week 14 might have ended his season. Before that, his play had improved to the point that it could easily be described as outstanding. Rhodes has a very bright future in the NFL. Bond was drafted as a project. You can't teach size and Bond has that in abundance, 6'7" 330 lbs. The Vikings signed him to their practice squad at the end of training camp. Unfortunately for the team that drafted him, the Carolina Panthers plucked Bond from the Vikings practice squad during the season. The Vikings still have that third round pick next spring to complete the Seahawks generosity.
As for the Seahawks' end of the transaction, they got Percy Harvin. They also gave Harvin a huge contract extension. So, the Seahawks paid in draft picks, the cash of the NFL, and actual cash. Harvin has played all of one game this season due to an offseason hip injury. That game just happened to be against the Minnesota Vikings. He had only two touches in that game. He had a reception that converted a key first down on a drive that netted a touchdown. He had a terrific kick return that positioned the Seahawks for a touchdown right before the half. That touchdown was devastating in a game that the Vikings kept close for three quarters. Two touches. Two impact plays. For people familiar with the Minnesota Vikings of the last four years, Harvin's impact was no surprise. His Seahawks debut against the Vikings caused a setback with his hip. He hasn't played since and might be headed to injured reserve as his team heads to the playoffs.
A side to the Harvin trade was the Vikings drafting of receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. The Vikings likely drafted the versatile and explosive Patterson because they no longer had the versatile and explosive Harvin. The trade also freed up cash and a receiver spot that was filled by the free agent signing of Greg Jennings. Patterson, like Rhodes, has had a tremendous rookie season. In a season that has been bleak, at best, for the Vikings, Rhodes and Patterson have been bright spots. The Seahawks generosity last March has resulted in a real nice haul for the Vikings.
Seahawks people shouldn't fret or frown. Harvin has been a no-how this season but the team is really doing pretty well without him. Harvin will get healthy. He will be back. When that happens, the Seahawks will have one of the most explosive, maybe the most explosive, offensive football player in the league.
For now, the Vikings and Vikings fans thank the Seahawks for their incredible generosity in 2013. Thank you very much.
Merry Christmas, Everyone.
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