Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers safety Jason Pinnock (25) during the second half at Caesars Superdome.

The (6-2) Seattle Seahawks are making a claim to be among the NFL’s elite teams.

Seattle acquired wide receiver Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, the teams announced.

The acquisition of Shaheed bolsters a Seahawks receiving corps that features Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. It underscores a rebuild more for the Saints.

The Seahawks are currently tied with the Los Angeles Rams for first in the NFC West. Seattle is coming off a blowout 38-14 win over the Washington Commanders. (1-8) New Orleans is currently tied with the (1-8) Tennessee Titans for the worst record in the NFL.

USA TODAY Sports grades the Seahawks and Saints after Tuesday's trade:

Seattle Seahawks: B-

Tuesday’s trade reunites Shaheed with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The coach was the offensive coordinator in New Orleans in 2024 before he departed for Seattle, so there’s some familiarity between the two.

The addition of Shaheed gives Seattle a vertical threat who has averaged over 14 yards per reception during his career. He’s produced 44 catches, 499 yards and two touchdowns in nine games this year. He has 22 receiving first downs. He was the Saints’ No. 2 receiver behind Chris Olave.

In Seattle, Shaheed will be a complementary piece behind Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving yards with 948.

Smith-Njigba is a standout possession receiver who excels on intermediate routes. Kupp thrives in short and intermediate routes in the slot. Shaheed fits in nicely as the receiver who can take the top off of the defense. He is on an expiring contract, so expect him to be motivated the rest of the season.

New Orleans Saints: B-

Shaheed was a 2022 undrafted free agent who rose to become New Orleans’ second-best wide receiver, but he was rumored to be available before the deadline.

Trading Shaheed for two mid-round picks is worth the investment. The Saints are a team in rebuild mode, so acquiring future picks makes sense.

New Orleans currently has seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft, including two fifth-round selections. Plus, they are presently in a position to have the No. 1 overall pick.

The Saints now must figure out which players they want to build around, including rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who has yet to prove he’s the QB of the future.

Running back Alvin Kamara has told reporters he wants to stay in the Big Easy through the team’s rebuild, so at least the Saints know they have an upper-echelon running back among their core players.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rashid Shaheed trade grades: Why both Seahawks, Saints fared well in trade deadline deal

Reporting by Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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