Seahawks Claim Kyu Blu Kelly, Drake Thomas Off Waiver Wire

Shuffling the roster with a pair of rookies set to enter the mix, the Seattle Seahawks shored up depth at cornerback and linebacker by claiming Kyu Blu Kelly and Drake Thomas.

Bolstering depth in the secondary and the middle of their defense, the Seattle Seahawks were awarded cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly and linebacker Drake Thomas off of waivers on Wednesday.

In a corresponding move, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Seattle waived veteran cornerback Artie Burns. The team will need to make an additional move to create space for both Kelly and Thomas.

After claiming DB Kyu Blu Kelly on waivers today from the Ravens, the Seahawks now have released cornerback Artie Burns, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2023

Drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round in April, Kelly enjoyed a standout college career at Stanford, recording 147 tackles, three interceptions, and 20 pass breakups in four collegiate seasons. The 6-0, 190-pound cornerback allowed six receptions on 10 targets for 73 yards and two touchdowns in coverage during the preseason, struggling in action against starters in the first two exhibition contests.

Given those struggles and strong depth at the position, Baltimore waived Kelly with hopes of him slipping to the practice squad. Instead, his arrival in Seattle pushed Burns off the roster as a reserve boundary defender and special teams contributor.

Thomas, who went undrafted before signing with the Raiders in May, put up gaudy numbers manning the middle of North Carolina State's defense. As a senior, the 238-pound linebacker racked up north of 100 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and nearly hit double-digit sacks, but he somehow didn't receive an NFL combine invite or participate in any postseason all-star showcases despite his production.

Drake Thomas led Las Vegas with 20 tackles during the preseason, but it wasn't enough to make the team, allowing Seattle to claim him off waivers

During the preseason, Thomas received a solid 77.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, amassing 20 combined tackles and two tackles for loss on defense along with a pair of special teams tackles in three games. Las Vegas released him on Tuesday.

The Seahawks had Thomas in town for one of their top-30 visits in the pre-draft process in April, showing interest in the playmaking linebacker. A junkyard dog with a nose for the football, his presence as a developmental defender behind veterans Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, and Devin Bush could mean the team plans to move on from third-year linebacker Jon Rhattigan.

While Kelly and Thomas will join the fold as they continue to churn their roster leading up to the season opener, the Seahawks didn't have any of the players they waived on Tuesday claimed by other teams, opening the door for them to bring back up to 16 of them as members of the practice squad.