Former Michigan Wolverines starter becomes the first 2024 NFL Draft pick to be traded
After an undefeated 2023 season that culminated in a national championship, the Michigan Wolverines had a remarkable 13 players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, including top-ten pick J.J. McCarthy. However, one of those 13 picks has already been traded ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Carolina Panthers trade LB Michael Barrett to Seattle Seahawks […]
After an undefeated 2023 season that culminated in a national championship, the Michigan Wolverines had a remarkable 13 players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, including top-ten pick J.J. McCarthy.
However, one of those 13 picks has already been traded ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
Carolina Panthers trade LB Michael Barrett to Seattle Seahawks
Thursday morning, the Carolina Panthers elected to trade seventh-round pick linebacker Michael Barrett to the Seattle Seahawks. In return, the Panthers landed veteran cornerback Michael Jackson.
This makes Barrett the first 2024 draft pick to be traded.
This move reunites Barrett with his former coaches at Michigan in new Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and linebackers coach Chris Partridge. Partridge was Barrett’s primary recruiter at Michigan.
The former Wolverine was a two-team All-Big Ten selection with the Wolverines. So far in the preseason, Barrett was PFF's fifth-ranked rookie linebacker in coverage.
The Seahawks are counting on two rookies, Barrett and fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight, to help fill the gap left behind by Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner's departures in free agency.
Michael Barrett was a tough, talented linebacker for the Wolverines last season. His physicality stood out, especially as an enforcer in the run game. Barrett was also a standout special teamer for Michigan. However, Barrett's coverage ability is an underrated part of his game, as he has the speed to cover plenty of ground and turn and run with receivers in man coverage.
Barrett also flashed quick play recognition ability and the fluidity to spot-drop in zone coverages and make plays in the open field.
Barrett fell in the draft due to his age (25-year-old rookie) and tweener body type at 5'11, 232 pounds.
Originally committed to the Wolverines to play on offense, Barrett flipped over to defense in 2020. Barrett became a full-time starter in 2022 under now-Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
No player in Michigan history played in more games than Michael Barrett did in his career, appearing in 64(!) games in his six years with the Wolverines.
Barrett wracked up 208 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions in his career at Michigan.
It's a testament to how the Seahawks view Barrett that they were willing to deal Michael Jackson, a proven veteran cornerback. Jackson played over 1,500 snaps with the Seahawks the last three seasons and didn't allow a single touchdown last season.
