Seahawks add to depleted receiving corps by reaching agreement with journeyman WR

This comes after the team released veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett and agreed to trade DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,130 yards, six TDs) is the only current WR on the roster to have more than 200 receiving yards last season aside from Lockett (600) and Metcalf (992).

With the team agreeing to trade QB Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and agreeing to a three-year, $100.5 million deal with Sam Darnold, there is a lot of roster overhaul in Seattle. At least by agreeing to a deal with Valdes-Scantling, the Seahawks are giving Darnold an additional option down the field.

Valdes-Scantling, whose career began in 2018 when the Green Bay Packers selected him in the fifth-round of the NFL Draft, has played for multiple teams since. After spending four seasons in Green Bay and recording 13 TD catches, Valdes-Scantling had a two-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs where he only scored three TDs, but produced 1,002 receiving yards in that span.

While he was let go by the Buffalo Bills midway through the 2024 season, Valdes-Scantling landed with the New Orleans Saints and became QB Derek Carr's go-to option as injuries mounted to their receiving corps throughout the season. In just eight games, Valdes-Scantling had 385 receiving yards, but four TDs and a career-high 22.6 yards per catch.

This also reunites Valdes-Scantling with his former offensive coordinator in New Orleans, Klint Kubiak, who is entering his first season in the same position with Seattle. 

Although this will be the 30-year-old's fifth team as he enters his eighth season in the league, he at least gives Darnold another threat to pair with Smith-Njigba as the Seahawks look to overcome the loss of Lockett and Metcalf. 

After being on two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Chiefs and possessing 205 catches, 3,566 receiving yards and 20 TDs in his career so far, Valdes-Scantling is a sneaky-good playmaker for Seattle. While several unknowns remain for the Seahawks, they have someone with experience and a lot of upside as they look to put the pieces together for the 2025 season.

Valdes-Scantling also inherits a similar situation in Seattle to the one he had in New Orleans with a depleted receiving corps. Although the reasons behind the lack of options are different, Valdes-Scantling's experience should put him in a position to succeed immediately and become a consistent weapon for Darnold.