The Seattle Seahawks have some clear roster needs going into 2025. One that's flying under the radar is needing to get younger at wide receiver, where we've seen a clear changing of the guard this season. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is now the team's number one option at this spot, followed by DK Metcalf, followed by a very big gap, then Tyler Lockett.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will need to make some cuts to get under the salary cap. That means Lockett could be on the chopping block. In Bleacher Report's latest team needs column they're predicting Seattle will cut Lockett for cap savings and then poach Tutu Atwell in free agency from the Los Angeles Rams to replace him.
B/R on Tyler Lockett, Seahawks, Tutu Atwell
"...the organization would save $17 million of cap space by cutting the 32-year-old who turns 33 in September this offseason, and the front office is currently projected to have over a $6 million deficit in the spring... Atwell could step in and be the offense's deep threat at a fraction of the cost. Granted, he doesn't have the same pedigree as his predecessor, but the fourth-year pro was a reliable target for the Rams during a five-game stretch in which Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were injured."
For what it's worth, Atwell (5-foot-9, 165 pounds) has the skillset that Seattle's current wide receiver room is missing. More than anything else they need that deep threat element that neither Lockett nor Metcalf can offer. JSN has the ability to go downfield but he's more valuable in the short and intermediate areas. Adding a vertical threat like Atwell should help unlock opportunities for everybody else and keep opposing defenses more honest.
A second-round draft pick by the Rams in 2021, Atwell has totaled 92 catches, 1,288 yards and four touchdowns in 50 games. Atwell has been relegated to a backup role, though and hasn't seen many opportunities behind Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and company.
Much as we would like to see Lockett stay forever, his decline is too pronounced to ignore, and it didn't come out of nowhere this season. It's time to honor Lockett with a place in the Ring of Honor and move in a different direction for that WR3 spot.
