Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, August 25 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
With the NFL regular season nearly upon us, Fox Sports writer Eric Williams and the FOX Sports team evaluated all-32 teams’ young cores selected between the 2019-2023 NFL Drafts. Reeling off a historic 2022 draft class and selecting 10 new budding prospects in April, Williams breaks down why Seattle is "on the verge of contention."
Seattle knocked the NFL world off its axis in 2022, climbing to an NFC Wild Card appearance after significant roster turnover last offseason. Aside from quarterback Geno Smith shocking the world to win 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year after seven seasons as a reserve - the Seahawks young talent core stole the show. Of their 10 selections last April, four went on to be starters, including tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas becoming the first rookie starting duo in a team’s 15 games since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. Running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 1,050 yards, cornerback Riq Woolen tied for the league-lead in interceptions (6) and cornerback Coby Bryant tied for the lead in forced fumbles (4).
Seattle’s 2023 draft class has received plenty of praise, as anticipation continues to rise for the season's start. But, the overall roster is budding with young talent under 30-years-of-age, led by wideout DK Metcalf. Coming off a career-high 90-reception campaign, the Ole Miss alum recorded his second-career 1,000-yard receiving season (1,048) in four years. Earlier this month, Yahoo Sports writer Matt Harmon named Metcalf the No.6-best wideout 25-or-under. Williams breaks down Seattle's talented roster, identifying younger core players heading into 2023, before breaking down why Metcalf is primed for another breakout year.
Young core
WR DK Metcalf
CB Riq Woolen
RB Kenneth Walker III
TE Noah Fant
CB Devon Witherspoon
CB Coby Bryant
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
LT Charles Cross
RT Abraham Lucas
Standout: DK Metcalf
The chiseled 6-4, 235-pound Metcalf brings track athlete athleticism to the football field. He's been helped by the return of receivers coach Sanjay Lal from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Metcalf played all 17 games last season, finishing with 90 receptions for 1,048 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on a career-high 141 targets.
Over the last three seasons, Metcalf has totaled 248 receptions for 3,318 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. The Seahawks inked Metcalf to a three-year, $72 million deal last offseason, making him among the top-paid receivers in the NFL.
The 25-year-old checks the box for a big, physical receiver Carroll likes to have on the perimeter of his offense to help move the chains. But there's still room for improvement.
"He's a top athlete, but he's an underachiever," said one NFL Scout. "He gets hurt too often for a big guy. He's a little bit stiff in his hips. I don't see him run all the routes. I don't know how they're going to do it, but they need to challenge him.
"Now, is he one of the top players in the league? Absolutely. He's got all those tools, but he doesn't run the full route tree. So, is he a No. 1 receiver? Not right now. But who knows, the switch might come on for DK."
Williams nominates No.20 selection cornerback Devon Witherspoon as a potential breakout player in Year-1 despite dealing with minor injury issues through camp.
Potential breakout: Devon Witherspoon
Somewhat of a surprise selection by the Seahawks at No. 5, the Illinois product could develop into a shutdown corner in the NFL.
"You can play him anywhere," said one NFL Scout. "He can play nickel. He can play dime. You can play him on top. He can play in the box. They did a heck of a job with him at Illinois. We wanted him, but we weren't in the range to get him. I think he's going to play for 10 years."
Witherspoon has been nursing a lingering hamstring injury but hopes to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. The Seahawks have been auditioning Witherspoon as a slot defender, taking full advantage of his playmaking ability by putting him closer to all the action in the middle of the field.
"He was lightly recruited out of high school, but he is a real talented player," FOX Sports NFL analyst Bucky Brooks said. "He's really smart, really instinctive. He can play man, zone and do a bunch of different things. I think you put him in the secondary, which has also been upgraded with some age and experience and this team is ready to go.
"Even though we're talking about some of the younger players, the whole fact that they got Julian Love and Jamal Adams comes back when he's healthy. You've got Quandre Diggs. So, you now have what they had before, that makes them young and old, to get it going."
Lastly, Williams shares some insider thoughts from anonymous league scouts on several of Seattle's core players on both sides of the ball.
Devon Witherspoon: "He's a really good cover guy and he's got size. … He got the man-to-man cover skills, and he's got the speed. He's an aggressive guy, he can cover and he can tackle. Those guys know what they're doing, so I think he's going to be a solid starter." —NFL Scout
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: "He's silky smooth and he catches everything. He's only going to get stronger. And he's only going to get better. Having Tyler Lockett in front of him is going to be a godsend. He'll just soak up some knowledge from him. And when Lockett's done, he'll take over. They'll miss Lockett, but not much because of him." —NFL Scout
Jake Bobo: "He might have run a 4.9 (40-yard-dash time) coming out, but he's got quick feet and quick hands. He doesn't play 4.9. I wanted him at our place and got blown out of the water because he didn't run fast enough. Usually, the longer-striding guys don't get going until 20 yards down the field. But he's got a huge catch radius and soft hands. And that makes up for that long-legged slowness. He's got a chance to make the practice squad and be elevated to the active roster sometime during the season." —NFL Scout
Abe Lucas: "Lucas is going to get better and better. I liked him coming out of Washington State. Kind of a different kid, but he fits in. And I think they're going to find he'll play awhile and have a really good career. Pair him with Charles Cross and I think they're going to be fine up front." —NFL Scout
Seattle will get another look at their young talent and depth in Saturday's road contest against the Green Bay Packers to close the 2023 preseason.
Social Post Of The Day
GMFB Analyst Peter Schrager praises the Seahawks ahead of 2023 on The Herd with Colin Cowherd as potential NFC Champions.
More From Around The Web
Frank Sumrall of Seattle Sports 710 AM: K.J. Wright: Seahawks WR Jake Bobo ‘the guy I believe Geno can trust’.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Notebook: The latest on Seahawks rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s wrist injury.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Jamal Adams activated off PUP list, but Seahawks will take it slow.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: ‘More Bobo’: How this Seahawks undrafted rookie has gone from no expectations to camp star.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Kenneth Walker back full go. Geno Smith and the Seahawks need him to go farther in 2023.
Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks Angry RBs? Ken Walker Excited to 'Run Mad' With Zach Charbonnet.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks roster bubble: Position groups to watch in preseason finale vs. Packers.
Brady Henderson of ESPN's NFL Nation: The Seahawks may turn to an undrafted rookie at wide receiver.
The Seahawks and the Packers will meet this Saturday at Lambeau Field for the final week of the 2023 preseason. Take a look back at the best photos from the teams' matchups over the years.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey (10) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Steve Niehaus (71) and defensive tackle Richard Harris (77) during an NFL game in Green Bay on October 10, 1976 . The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-20. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mike Curtis (32) stops Green Bay Packers running back Barty Smith (33) during an NFL game in Milwaukee, Oct. 10, 1976. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-20. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Greg Collins (50) closes in on a Green Bay Packers running back during an NFL game in Milwaukee, Oct. 10, 1976. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-20. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks punter Jeff West (8) punts during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay on November 1, 1981. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 34-24. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Jim Jodat (43) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay on November 1, 1981. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 34-24. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton (80) beats Seattle Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown (22) during an NFL game in Milwaukee, Oct. 15, 1978. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 45-28. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Brian Bosworth, top, of the Seattle Seahawks, tackles Kenneth Davis of the Green Bay Packers, holding him to a one-yard gain during the first quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Nov. 15, 1987. Seattle beat Green Bay, 24-13. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84) runs his route covered by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Patrick Hunter (27) during a 20-14 Seahawks victory on December 9, 1990, at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback John Friesz (17) is taken down by Green Bay Packers' Sean Jones (96) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 29, 1996. Friesz gained two yards on fourth and ten. The Packers beat the Seahawks, 31-10 in Seattle.(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks for a receiver as Green Bay Packers Marques Anderson defends Monday night Aug. 16, 2004 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. during second quarter action of their preseason game. (Mike Roemer/AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Ken Hamlin (26) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) in a snow during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 27, 2006 in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson (81) heads downfield in the snow during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 27, 2006 in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, center, runs against the Green Bay Packers in a football game Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, in Seattle. Alexander's 201-yard performance on a career-high 40 carries across the snow-covered turf Monday rescued Seattle from a 21-12 deficit in the second half to beat the Packers. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson (81) makes a catch during the second half of an NFC Divisional Playoff game Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 42-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck calls signals during the first half of an NFC Divisional Playoff game Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)
The line of scrimmage between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers during an NFL Monday Night Football game in Seattle, Washington Monday, Sept. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) stands on the field against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL Monday Night Football game in Seattle, Washington Monday, Sept. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) runs the ball as Green Bay Packers free safety Micah Hyde (33) defends during an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field on Thursday September 4, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won 36-16. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field on Thursday September 4, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won 36-16. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Running back Marshawn Lynch (24) of the Seattle Seahawks evades Packers linebacker Brad Jones in a game in Seattle on September 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) throws the ball into the stands after scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during overtime of the NFC Championship game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate defeating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 18, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks' Tanner McEvoy catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) runs with the ball during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt (68) on the line of scrimmage during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle's Tyler Lockett makes a running catch on Seattle's final scoring drive for 18 yards.
Seahawks defensive ends Rasheem Green and Frank Clark celebrate after Green sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) attempt to tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
As he makes his way to the field, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner accepts greetings from 12s who made the trip to support the team.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf looks for running room on a 13-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett grabs a 28-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson on Seattleís first scoring drive of the game.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converts on a 45-yard field goal.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch gains yards in the first quarter.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett is congratulated by teammate DK Metcalf after Lockettís seven-yard touchdown reception.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner runs onto the field.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown reacts after making a play.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams intercepts a pass in the end zone to thwart a scoring drive.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett lays out but can't make the catch just before halftime.
Seahawks Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks combine on a tackle.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly gains yards and a first down.
Brave 12s endured the cold and being surrounded by "Cheeseheads" at Lambeau Field.
