By Liz Mathews

The Seahawks have traded cornerback Josh Wilson to the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional pick in the 2011 draft.

ESPN Senior NFL Writer John Clayton said on the Kevin Calabro show that the conditional pick will either be in the fourth or fifth round, depending on Wilson's playing time with the Ravens.

"This is an opportunity that came along to us because of our depth," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said while addressing the media with general manager John Schneider. "Josh is a great kid. We love him and all that, but this is a team that really came after him. ...We were able to do something that will hopefully be good for him and good for our program, too."

Carroll said cornerback Kelly Jennings will start opposite Marcus Trufant. He added that rookie Walter Thurmond "has had a great camp" and will compete for playing time.

"It's (Thurmond's) emergence and Kelly's play together that really gives us a chance to make a move like this," Carroll said.

The trade to Baltimore will be a homecoming of sorts for Wilson, whom the Seahawks drafted out of the University of Maryland in the second round (55th overall) in 2007.

Last season Wilson started 11 games and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. His three career interception returns for touchdowns ranks second in team history. He also played a big role in the return game, setting a single season club record in 2008 for most kickoff returns and yards with 69 and 1,753, respectively.

Carroll said Leon Washington will likely take over the kickoff return duties.

"We are looking for Leon to step up," he said. "Leon is dying to be the kickoff return guy and we love the thought of having him back there. In my mind, if it was the opener today, Leon would be the kick returner."

Wilson, who will be an unrestricted free agent following this season, practiced with the Seahawks Tuesday before learning of the trade.

When asked about the return of a conditional pick for a starting cornerback, Schneider said that "the market is different at different times... so it fluctuates. Right now with Josh in terms of the value, we felt like it was at a level where, with him being a free agent next year, we felt it was definitely fair."

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