Seahawks ‘Underdog’ WR Looking to Crack Roster

RENTON, Wash. - Following a strong lone season at Arkansas, with a rare blend of size, speed, and pass catching ability, Matt Landers seemed destined to hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Even without considering his production of 47 catches for 901 yards and eight touchdowns with the Razorbacks, Landers measured in at 6-4 at the NFL combine. He then proceeded to run a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time by a receiver at the event, not far off from DK Metcalf's jaw-dropping 4.33 time in Indianapolis four years ago. In addition, he produced an impressive 37-inch vertical jump.

But shockingly, as other receivers flew off the shelf with each ensuing round, Landers waited and waited. As the seventh and final round began, he had yet to be selected and his phone remained silent. Patience was starting to wear thin.

Midway through the round, Landers' phone finally rang. Though it wasn't a team telling him that he had been drafted, the Seattle Seahawks reached out with interest in signing him as an undrafted free agent and once the draft concluded, he quickly signed with them.

"I was pretty surprised," Landers said of going undrafted before signing with Seattle. "But I mean, I've always been an underdog, so I was just ready for whatever."

Hovering under the radar isn't necessarily something new for Landers, who racked up frequent flyer miles bouncing around with three different schools in his college career. Originally, he committed to Georgia as a three-star recruit out of Saint Petersburg, Florida and though he played in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2018, he didn't record a single catch in his first two years on campus.

As a redshirt sophomore, Landers took on an expanded role in Georgia's offense, snagging 10 receptions for 105 yards and scoring his first collegiate touchdown. But after only catching a pair of passes in 10 games in 2020, he transferred to Toledo seeking more playing time. While he only caught 20 passes for the Rockets, he proved to be a dynamic downfield weapon, averaging over 25 yards per catch and scoring five touchdowns.

On the move again with one year of eligibility remaining thanks to COVID, Landers transferred back to the SEC and joined Arkansas last season, enjoying a breakout year with career-bests in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. For a second straight season, he was one of the best big play threats in the country, falling just short of averaging 20 yards per reception against top competition and comparing favorably to his favorite player in the process.

"A player I try to model myself after, I'd say Julio Jones," Landers said. "Just that explosiveness, being able to get out his breaks his size, his speed. It's just his mentality towards the game."

Those improved numbers coupled with his Julio-esque size and athletic traits put on display at the combine weren't enough to be drafted, however. Even more stunningly, the player acknowledged the Seahawks were the only team that reached out with interest in signing him as an undrafted free agent, making his decision an easy one.

Excited for the opportunity to prove himself in the Pacific Northwest, Landers has been diligent taking advice from star receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as well as receivers coach Sanjay Lal, looking to improve any way he can battling in a highly-competitive group. So far, aided by the support around him, he has been pleased with his results on the field.

"It has been excellent," Landers said of his experience in his first NFL camp. "I'm blessed to be here and blessed to be able to play with those type of guys or veterans. I learn from them every day and they're eager to teach me and it's been wonderful."

Through the first week of camp, receiving most of his reps with the second-team offense, Landers has picked up where he left off in Fayetteville, demonstrating his ability to take the top off a defense with two long touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards. Both came on the receiving end of passes from Drew Lock, who he actually played against early in his college career at Georgia when the quarterback was still at Missouri.

In Seattle's first camp practice, Landers created instant separation out of his stem on a deep crosser and Lock hit him in stride perfectly for a 50-yard scoring strike. The two hooked up again in the fourth practice last Sunday, as the explosive rookie hauled in a 40-yard post route for six points.

Those splash plays have put Landers squarely on the radar, but in a receiving corps featuring Metcalf, Lockett, first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a resurgent Dee Eskridge, he will have to continue coming up with big plays to stay in the mix for a roster spot. As things stand, he is vying for snaps against second-year wideout Dareke Young, savvy slot Cade Johnson, veteran Cody Thompson, and fellow undrafted rookie Jake Bobo in a crowded room.

With minimal margin for error, Landers continues to pay close attention to the details, taking pointers from Metcalf and Lockett among other veterans to try to add to his game and making the most of every target thrown his direction. Understanding the value of special teams, he also has been working to show he can contribute in the third phase of the game as well, which he knows would bolster his chances at making the team significantly.

"I know special teams are gonna matter a lot. I'm doing my best to get on special teams... I'm always eager to play special teams. Whatever role I can do to help the team win, I'm just looking forward to it."