Seattle

Seahawks

Van Lanen is a restricted free agent and got an original round tender from the Jaguars for $3.26 million. Restricted free agents can negotiate with teams until April 21, and the Seahawks are a team in need of offensive line help. Van Lanen appeared in nine games for the Jaguars last season, starting three. He primarily plays tackle but has taken snaps at guard as well. The Seahawks are gauging offensive line options late in free agency and exploring signing Van Lanen, though he is tied to the Jaguars through restricted free agency.

The Seahawks add more competition at kick returner with the addition of Sims. He returned 21 punts for 122 yards and seven kicks for 195 yards between the Ravens and Texans last season. As a receiver, he offers depth, though he did not have a regular season reception in 2024. He totaled 19 yards on two offensive touches in the playoffs for the Ravens. Ultimately, Sims adds a little offensive depth but will more likely compete for return specialist snaps for the Seahawks.

The veteran tight end suited up in all 17 games for the 49ers last year and has played 17 games in three of the last four years. He’s already played for seven teams, and the Seahawks will mark his eighth. Saubert has blocked on 918 of 1,530 career snaps, so there’s no fantasy value here. He’ll be tasked with trying to clear lanes for Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.

Shortly after Nwosu agreed to restructure his contract, Schneider revealed that the 28-year-old pass rusher underwent surgery for a knee issue. Perhaps the Seahawks’ willingness to keep Nwosu on the roster is a net positive regarding his expected recovery. Nwosu missed the first four 2024 games due to an August MCL sprain. He returned for Week 5 but was forced from play after suffering a thigh injury. He was then sidelined again until Week 14, and was later listed with a wrist injury in Week 17. Hopefully, Nwosu will be healthy in time for Week 1.

Nwosu was primed to be a cut candidate this offseason. The 28-year-old pass rusher signed a three-year contract extension ahead of the 2023 season and has totaled just 30 tackles and three sacks over 12 games since signing that deal. A myriad of injuries can be partially blamed for the poor production, but the Seahawks stood to save $14.6 million against the cap by releasing Nwosu as a post-June 1 designation. Instead, Nwosu agreed to a deal that resulted in a $7 million pay cut while also freeing up $9 million in cap space. He remains under contract through the 2026 season, but 2025 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for Nwosu, who carries a cap hit just north of $20 million if he’s on the roster in 2026.

Radunz started at tackle his first two seasons before converting to guard in 2023. While he wasn’t terrific in 2024 — a 63.9 PFF pass block grade is probably his strongest selling point — Radunz has been better inside. Entering his age-27 season after a four-year rookie deal, the former second-round pick could compete for a job on Seattle’s interior line.

Gallup, who turned 29 this month, recently met with the Commanders as the former third-round pick eyes a return to the NFL. Gallup opted for retirement ahead of the 2024 season, but after a year away from the game, he hopes to join a team and compete for a spot on a 53-man roster. Gallup suffered a torn ACL during the 2021 season, then totaled just 832 yards and six receptions on 73 receptions from 2022 to 2023. He’s probably looking at a camp fight for a roster spot regardless of where he lands.

Brown played 263 snaps for the Seahawks last year and was largely ineffective, finishing with five penalties and a 47.8 PFF pass block rating. He managed just eight catches in 12 targets. Well behind Jonnu Smith in the passing game in Miami, Brown will remain mostly a blocker in Miami in 2025 should he make the 53-man roster.

“Seeing Sam turn his back to the defense and find deep crossers and hit guys in stride is definitely a strength of his game — one of many strengths (in addition) to throwing on the run,” Kubiak added. Kubiak has been a heavy play-action pass user in his first two years as a play caller, with Kirk Cousins in 2021 ranking second in under-center play-action rank and Derek Carr last year ranking fourth. Marques Valdes-Scantling may be the current lead for deep-shot targets after how he performed for Kubiak in New Orleans last season. Assuming the offensive line holds up — a big leap admittedly — this could be a helpful way for Seattle to keep Darnold productive.