Good afternoon, 12s.Â
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, Feb. 12 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Seahawks Rookies Earn B-Plus
With the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine less than two weeks away, Bucky Brooks at NFL.com is taking a division-by-division look back at how each team's rookies performed this past year, doling out grades for each team's first-year class and highlighting which positions teams need to focus on as they head to Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.Â
On Friday, Brooks broke down what each NFC West team's rookie class had to offer in 2015, and had positive things to say about the Seahawks, who earned a B-plus from Brooks. The Los Angeles Rams' rookies received the highest grade in the division with an A-minus, while the Arizona Cardinals mirrored the Seahawks' B-plus mark and the San Francisco 49ers received a C-plus.Â
Here's what Brooks had to say about Seattle's rookies, and where Seattle should focus at this year's combine:
Seattle has done a great job of developing young players in the Pete Carroll era. The Seahawks have not only helped mid-to-late-round selections play at a high level, but they also have gotten exceptional performances from some of their UDFAs (undrafted free agents) in recent years. The Seahawks might've stumbled upon Beast Mode 2.0 in Thomas Rawls. The undrafted free agent tallied four 100-yard games (including one 200-yard effort) and showed team officials he was a capable workhorse runner. How well he recovers from his season-ending ankle injury could determine whether the Seahawks continue to invest in the position. Among the 2015 draftees, Tyler Lockett and Frank Clark played like seasoned vets in their respective roles. Lockett, in particular, displayed outstanding skills as a receiver/returner on the way to scoring eight total touchdowns (six receptions, one punt return and one kick return) during his rookie campaign. He looks like a natural WR2 opposite Doug Baldwin, which should encourage Carroll to carve out a bigger role for Lockett in Year 2. Clark is an energetic edge defender with a non-stop motor and explosive rush skills. He finished with three sacks and showed a knack for getting home off the edge. With more playing time, he should blossom as a DPR1 (designated pass rusher) in the Seahawks' aggressive scheme. Grade: B+
Combine focus: Lynch's retirement forces Seattle to reassess the state of the backfield. As mentioned above, the Seahawks got promising returns from Rawls in Year 1, but they'll have to see how he recovers from injury -- and honestly, they're not going to make him the unquestioned RB1 after a solid half-season of work. This draft class offers plenty of attractive options for Seattle at running back -- guys like Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott, Alabama's Derrick Henry and Arkansas' Alex Collins fit the franchise's mold as rugged inside runners with soft hands in the passing game. Carroll will pay close attention to their combine workouts to determine if they have the ability to contribute immediately in a revamped offensive scheme that will put more responsibility on Russell Wilson's shoulders in 2016. Meanwhile, Russell Okung is a free agent, which makes offensive tackle a huge priority for the team (which holds the No. 26 pick, by the way). Mississippi's Laremy Tunsil, Michigan State's Jack Conklin, Notre Dame'sRonnie Stanley and Ohio State's Taylor Decker will all get long looks, but their workouts on the field turf could determine whether the Seahawks view them as ideal fits at left tackle.
Tweet Of The Day
Sticking with the rookie Round-Up theme, today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from wideout Tyler Lockett, who sees a bit of humor in this Sunday's holiday.Â
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle recounts Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett's journey from undrafted rookie free agent to Seattle Male Sports Star of the Year.Â
Larry Stone at the Seattle Times comments on why everyone will miss Marshawn Lynch.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com writes about whether or not Louisville defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins would fit with the Seahawks.
And Conor Orr at NFL.com lists the Seahawks as one of five teams that could be interested in running back Matt Forte, who will not be re-signing with the Bears this offseason after eight years in Chicago.Â
Seahawks players, Legends and staff attended the 81st annual 2016 Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards, where Michael Bennett won Male Sports Star of the Year.