As the 21st pick of the 2019 draft approached, the Seahawks thought they were about to land a player they were eager to add to their offense, University of Iowa tight end Noah Fant.
In fact, general manager John Schneider said, the Seahawks had Fant's name written down on the card they were ready to turn in to select the tight end out of Iowa. But before the Seahawks could make that pick, the Broncos took Fant at No. 20, leading to the Seahawks instead electing to trade back in the first round.
Three years later, Fant is a Seahawk, one of three players the team is excited to have added in the trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
"We had his name written down," Schneider said on Wednesday after the trade became official. "It was that close, we thought he was coming to us. You're talking about a guy that's a big man, is young. He went through a rough time early on, unfortunately lost his mother right before the season. He did a really nice job of still going out and competing, he caught 68 balls. He's a huge target, and he can run."
In addition to a significant haul of draft picks that included first- and second-round picks this year and next year, the Seahawks also received from Denver three players—Fant, defensive end Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock—who they believe will help them this season and beyond.
"The guys coming in now, it's exciting," Schneider said.
Harris, the most veteran player of the group, emerged not just as a productive interior lineman during his time in Denver, but also as a locker-room leader.
"Shelby Harris is a pass-rushing 3-technique, hustle guy, gets his hands up in the passing lanes, and he's going to be a fun guy to have in our locker room," Schneider said.
And while Fant, who ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at 249 pounds at the NFL scouting combine has the distinction of being a former first-round pick, perhaps the biggest spotlight come training camp will be on Lock given the position he plays.
Trading Wilson obviously leaves the Seahawks with a big void to fill, and while Schneider and company will continue to explore all options, they do see Lock, a former second-round pick, as a legitimate candidate to take over the starting role despite mixed results in his time as a starter in Denver.
"Drew Lock, we really liked him coming out (of college)," Schneider said. "He can move in the pocket, has a hose (of an arm). We're really excited to get him into our culture, into our building.
"We'll continue to explore our options, but we have a ton of faith in Drew, we're excited about it. We're excited about a change of scenery for him. I know a couple of my buddies who were trying to acquire him all last spring into the fall. He's a guy that, in my opinion, the media has beat down a little bit. We're excited to get him into our culture with our coaching staff and we'll continue to look for guys to compete with him. Geno (Smith) did a nice job for us, there's a number of guys who are still available, and we'll continue to work through that."
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll agreed with Schneider that Lock was an exciting prospect coming out of college, and added that Lock looked good after taking over the starting role late in the 2019 season and helping Denver win four of its last five games, success he wasn't quite able to match the following two years.
"You go back to his first year when he was balling as a rookie, when he was 4-1, his third-down numbers were terrific," Carroll said. "(He was) taking care of the football really well. For whatever reason—the coordinator left after that time—times changed for him, and he didn't play to that same level. So exactly what we have evaluated, the process that we evaluated, he showed. John stayed with it and followed him all the way through his career, and we've watched it happen. We think he's still that guy and so we'll see."
Quarterback Drew Lock is returning to the Seahawks after playing the 2024 season with the New York Giants. Lock spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Seattle, starting four games in 2023. Check out the best photos of Lock through the years.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri fans show their support for Missouri quarterback Drew Lock during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. Lock, a true freshman, had his first career start in the game. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Missouri NCAA college football player Drew Lock speaks during the Southeastern Conference's annual media gathering, Wednesday, July 12, 2017, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock walks toward Memorial Stadium before the start of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee-Martin Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2019, file photo, Missouri quarterback Drew Lock throws at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Lock is a possible pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Denver Broncos selected Lock in the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) runs towards the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) and linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 34-27. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) looks on as he leaves the field following a win against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) celebrates after scoring quarterback Drew Lock during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) motions against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws the ball in warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 34-13. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Jan. 2, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 34-13. (John McGillen via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) reacts during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) signals against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock is congratulated on the sidelines after throwing the game winning touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up before playing against the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) before an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Commanders defeated the Giants 27-22. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws before the start of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Rodriguez)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) motions to the offense during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) runs the ball in an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) celebrates after running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up before playing against the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes under pressure against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons defeated the Giants 34-7. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) reacts after a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
