RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are even this fall when it comes to claiming each other's draft choices.
Seattle now has a third quarterback, having claimed rookie B.J. Daniels, the 49ers' seventh-round draft pick out of South Florida, off waivers Wednesday. To make room, the Seahawks released rookie linebacker John Lotulelei.
San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh had made it clear the 49ers valued Daniels and had every intention of signing him to their practice squad. The team cut him in favor of John Skelton, believing the veteran quarterback's experience would benefit the 53-man roster more at this point.
"We have a plan for him," Harbaugh said of Daniels before Seattle's claim.
Apparently, so do the Seahawks, and they know the feeling of losing a guy they wanted to keep around.
Before the season, Seattle released receiver Chris Harper, a fourth-round draft pick, hoping to add him to the practice squad. Instead, the 49ers added him to their 53-man roster.
Daniels said he was surprised he was placed on waivers by the 49ers.
"I've never gone through this. To be picked up by Seattle is a blessing," he said.
He said he doesn't view his acquisition by Seattle as a way for the Seahawks to get revenge on the 49ers for claiming Harper.
"I don't agree with that at all. During my draft process, I had Seattle come and work me out. This is one of the places where I thought I might be drafted. I'm glad it worked out I'm here," he said.
Daniels said he won't allow himself to get caught up in the intense rivalry between the team's fans.
"That whole rivalry with the fans is not something that I can pay attention to right now," he said. "This is my new home, and whatever I can do to help out Seattle is what I need to do."
ESPN.com 49ers reporter Bill Williamson contributed to this report.
