INDIANAPOLIS -- The Seahawks wouldn't trade their leading receiver, would they?

It all depends on the draft-choice compensation another team might be willing to part with to acquire Darrell Jackson.

Jackson is available, sources said Sunday at the NFL scouting combine. But club president Tim Ruskell labeled the situation "combine talk" and stressed that nothing is imminent.

"We get a lot of interest at the combine, people asking about our players," Ruskell said. "We'll listen to anything, but it doesn't mean we're going to do anything.

"In terms of Darrell, he's under contract and we plan on having him back. That's where that stands."

Jackson has three years remaining on the six-year, $25 million contract he signed in 2004, and his escalating base salaries of $3.25 million (2007), $4.75 million (2008) and $4.75 million (2009) could be a deterrent to any clubs that might consider a trade.

Jackson, 28, has been a very productive player since being selected in the third round of the 2000 draft, averaging 63 catches and 920 yards and leading the club in receptions in four of the past six seasons.

But he also missed 10 games because of a knee problem during the club's Super Bowl run in 2005 and sat out the final three games last season with a hyperextended toe.

Those also would be factors in any trade talks, and determining what kind of compensation the Seahawks could expect -- especially in a year when they don't have a first-round draft choice.

"I doubt they could get a first-round pick for him, because of the injuries," one AFC assistant coach offered. "I would suspect you could offer a third, but might have to give up a second."

This is, of course, all speculation. At least for now.

Part of it is rooted in the fact that the Seahawks bolstered their receiving corps last year by trading their first-round pick in April's draft to acquire Deion Branch from the New England Patriots and also signing Nate Burleson in free agency.

The development of D.J. Hackett, a fifth-round draft choice in 2004, made the situation even more crowded as he caught 45 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns to exceed the totals from his first two seasons.

"It's unfortunate that that would be the speculation," Ruskell said. "Because the kid is going, 'Geez, what's going on? They don't love me.' "

Jackson's agent, Brian Mooney, said he was unaware of any trade talk.

"I'm completely in the dark about this," Mooney said. "From our side, Darrell would love to finish his career in Seattle."

Another part of the scenario is Jackson's lingering unhappiness with what he alleges was a promise for additional money that was made to him, but not kept, by former club president Bob Whitsitt when he signed his contract in 2004.

The additions of Branch and Burleson, with contracts that exceeded the one given to Jackson, did nothing to reduce Jackson's discontent.

But his state of mind did nothing to lessen his physical contributions to the offense last season. Jackson was leading the league with 10 touchdown receptions through 13 games, and also had 63 receptions for 956 yards. He caught a franchise-record 87 passes in 2004 and posted 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

All that production despite a lack of breakaway speed, and the perception that he is not a true No. 1 receiver.

"Jackson has great foot quickness," one NFC scout said. "That's what allows him to separate, get open and put up the kind of numbers he does."

The Seahawks, more than any team, are aware of what Jackson brings to the passing game.

"We'd listen to anything," Ruskell said. "But there's nothing up, there's nothing imminent, there's nothing about to happen.

"We're certainly happy with our wide receiver corps. It bodes well not only for now, but into the future. And Darrell's part of that."

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