The official website of the Seattle Seahawks has reported that corner Kelly Jennings has been traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.
Jennings, the ‘Hawks first round draft pick in 2006 has played a consistent role with the team since being drafted, and emerged as the starting right corner last season, posting a career high in pass defenses. That said, Jennings never developed into the fearsome shut-down corner he was hoped to be. Though a decent cover man, he never developed the ability to make plays on the ball, finishing his time in Seattle with only 2 interceptions in 78 games played. The emergence of Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman during training camp seemingly left Jennings the odd man out in camp, as the two rookies possess both superior size and a better nose for the ball, particularly Sherman, who was once Stanford’s leading receiver on offense.
In McDonald the Seahawks get another hybrid Tackle/End that should fit well as a 5-technique end or 3-technique pass rushing tackle on throwing downs. He spent most of last season on the Bengal’s practice squad, breaking onto the team after injuries at the end of the season. Despite that he was touted as a sleeper pick at the end of the 7th round after a fantastic pro day out of Memphis was expected to get him into the middle rounds of the draft. Whether or not he sticks with the team or was simply brought in as a camp body instead of simply cutting Jennings is unknown, but given his particular skill set, it makes sense that the front office would at least want a look at him.
-Matt Mullen
