The Seahawks’ trickling stage of NFL free agency now includes a new wide receiver.
Former Carolina Panther and Jacksonville Jaguar Laviska Shenault Jr. signed with Seattle on Tuesday, according to the 25-year-old Shenault’s agent, David Canter, in an online post.
The former University of Colorado standout had 58 and 63 catches for over 600-plus yards each in 2020 and 2021, his first and second NFL seasons. He hasn’t approached those totals since.
The Jaguars traded their former second-round draft choice to Carolina at the end of the 2022 preseason for two late-round picks. He had 27 receptions in his first season with the Panthers. He had 10 catches while playing just 16% of snaps for Carolina in 2023 before he ended last season on injured reserve because of an ankle injury suffered in November.
Shenault had 86 catches for more than 1,000 yards his sophomore season at Colorado in 2018.
The Seahawks have wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as their second- and third-highest paid players behind quartertback Geno Smith. Metcalf and Lockett are under contract through 2025. Last year Seattle drafted wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round.
The team also has Jake Bobo, Dareke Young and Dee Eskridge returning at wide receiver. Among them, there are opportunities for Shenault to get snaps as a fourth wide receiver in the offense of new coordinator Ryan Grubb.
The Seahawks hired Grubb in February. The former University of Washington offensive coordinator will call plays on Seattle’s offense for new, defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald.
Shenault is a big receiver at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds. Only the 6-4, 235-pound Metcalf and Young (6-2, 224) are bigger among wide receivers on Seattle’s roster.
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