As I all the time say, it is not uncommon to usher in some gamers who’ve already labored with the coaches. That was not the case with Mike Macdonald, for the reason that Seattle Seahawks didn’t draft anybody from Michigan’s protection, nor did it herald anybody from the Baltimore Ravens’ protection (solely Josh Ross, a LB however who performed largely as a particular teamer throughout his profession and continued to take action in Seattle). On the offensive aspect, nobody from Washington’s explosive offense was drafted (solely Jack Westover was among the many UDFAs, however he didn’t make the roster or the follow squad).
Having these acquainted faces may help the coaches implement a brand new scheme. With the arrival of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and offensive line coachJohn Benton, Seattle ought to go from being one of many groups that used the least play motion to being one of many groups that makes use of it probably the most. Subsequently, it’s fascinating to have gamers who’ve already run related schemes.
Having performed on the Saints offense shouldn’t be a requirement to be introduced in as a FA, but it surely may put some names on Seattle’s radar for 2025.
Let’s check out who they’re.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Johnson was the Saints’ TE1 and TE2 throughout the instances Foster Moreau was injured. He was a WR in school (Penn State/Oregon) and joined the Saints as an UDFA. Due to this, his PFF blocking grades have by no means been very excessive. In 2020, enjoying 99 snaps, he had an 88.7, however after that issues modified. In 2021, he acquired 63.5, in 2022 54.1, in 2023 40.4 and 52.4 in 2024.
Final season, he had his highest variety of snaps, with 696. He achieved his finest numbers in receiving yards (548), receptions (50) and reception share (78.1%). Alternatively, he had solely 3 receiving TDs, his worst quantity since his rookie season.
He has glorious athletic skill and finds good areas between zones. Nevertheless, his finest attribute is the flexibility to make contested receptions. He was twelfth amongst TEs in contested reception share. This makes him a weapon within the purple zone, in actual fact, he led the Saints in targets in that space of ​​the sector in 2023.
Seattle may proceed with AJ Barner and Noah Fant (if the crew doesn’t resolve to chop him for cap causes) within the Tight Ends sector. Johnson could be an improve over Pharaoh Brown, who has been an enormous disappointment. Nevertheless, Johnson is coming off a $6 million per yr contract, whereas Brown value Seattle simply over $3 million.
Lucas Patrick, C/G
If I needed to guess on one title from those listed on this article to signal with Seattle, it will be OL Patrick. The veteran has performed almost 4,500 snaps, bringing a number of expertise to the unit. He began his profession in Inexperienced Bay as a UDFA in 2017, the place he barely performed in his first three years. In 2020 and 2021, he turned a starter at guard and at middle when Corey Linsley was injured.
In 2022, he signed with the Bears, however suffered a foot harm in Week 7 of that yr, and was out for the remainder of the season. In 2023, he was the starter for Chicago enjoying at middle. In 953 snaps, he didn’t enable a single sack.
He signed a 1-year contract with the Saints, showing in 11 video games (10 begins), enjoying 562 snaps (virtually 80% of the offensive snaps), and solely giving up 10 pressures, with no sacks or hits on the QB. Within the operating sport, he stood out within the zone scheme and was an vital participant within the screens. He had a knee harm, was positioned on IR, and ended his season.
Lucas is approaching 32 years of age and, as talked about, has had some harm issues. Subsequently, I consider his worth shall be very near what the Saints paid him, the veteran’s minimal. He would arrive to not be a starter, however, with information of the scheme, to be a high quality backup for the guard and middle roles.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
MVS’ 2024 season appeared doomed to failure when he was minimize by the Payments after the commerce for Huge Receiver Amari Cooper. However regardless of having the bottom variety of receptions, targets and yards per reception, he managed his second-best variety of TDs (4) and was second within the league in yards per reception with 21.6, behind solely Alec Pierce.
He wouldn’t change the standing of our offense, however he could be an inexpensive piece that might convey the vertical risk + yards after the reception that the crew would want, particularly in the event that they resolve to chop Tyler Lockett. At worst, he would function depth to be a Z/X receiver and would enhance Seattle’s WR4 stage.
Shane Lemieux, C/G
He could be an inexpensive choice with versatility as a middle and guard. He was the Saints’ middle in 6 video games, beginning 4 of them. He’s a really athletic OL, given his historical past as a TE. He performed 337 snaps final yr, his finest since his rookie season in 2020 with the Giants, the place he performed 507.
If he can keep wholesome, he could possibly be a shock beginning depth choice, as he has tailored very nicely to the Kubiak/Benton scheme and may nonetheless supply versatility to the crew.
