And that's what Seattle got out of a handful of its rookies, despite injuries creating detours for some of them. Left guard Grey Zabel started and played all 17 regular-season games. Emmanwori played in 14, starting 11 of those, and only missed three games with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 1. Receiver Tory Horton played in eight games, starting three and had five offensive touchdowns, and a punt returned 95 yards for a touchdown (the longest in the NFL this season) before injuring his shin and ending up on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Tight end Elijah Arroyo played in 13 games, started four games before he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. And fullback Robbie Ouzts played in 12 games, missing four while on injured reserve and being a healthy scratch in Week 15.
"I think John and company did a great job with all the picks, top to bottom," Emmanwori said. "I think even, he's just shown in classes before, he's done great with picking players, but this class specifically is real special and [has] immediate impact players, even practice squad or the signed guys (in free agency), they're still around on the team. So, I think he did a great job and our class is definitely generational."
Eleven-year veteran Leonard Williams said the impact of Zabel and Emmanwori to the team's success has been, "huge."
"Not even just their playmaking ability but their energy," he said. "Seeing young guys being able to show their energy, show their personality, show their enthusiastic personalities is huge. I'm seeing Grey during games coming up to me and hyping up the D-line, saying, hey, guys, give us a play; we got you guys. Just having a young guy be able to have motivation like that is big. Their play also just speaks high volumes."
When Zabel was drafted in the first round, it was presumed he would be a starter and when the season rolled around in September, he was locked in as one of Seattle's starting offensive linemen.
"I would say there's pressure," Zabel said in September before the season-opener. "But at the same time, that pressure is something that you want, because if you don't have pressure, you're not in a position to receive something like that. So, I enjoy it. I think it's awesome, and I think it just drives me to become the player that I'm supposed to be."
Seventeen games later and preparing for his first NFL playoff game, he reflected on what this rookie season has taught him, despite that pressure.
"There is going to be ups and downs," he said. "You're going to get beat. At the end of the day, I mean, I probably had the worst game of my football career against the Los Angeles Rams. Both times I would say I didn't play great. I just remember Charles (Cross) telling me – I'm on the bench beating myself up, not happy. He just comes up and goes, 'Hey, those guys get paid too.' Having that understanding, got to have the next-play mentality. You got to learn from your losses and keep moving forward and kind of keep taking them on the chin and understanding in this game of football things will go south. It's all about the next play. Having that mentality as a rookie and being able to learn that has been huge the past few weeks."
Emmanwori, who won NFL Rookie of the Week in Week 10, is part of the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversations and has been used at different positions throughout Seattle's defense, said his rookie season went how he expected it.
"Looking back, regular season-wise, I think I did exactly what I thought I was going to do," he said. "I could have did a little bit more, but I think I did exactly what I planned on doing, which is coming in and dominating, making a name for myself across the league. And I think a lot of people around me, personal, friends and just people in general, were definitely shocked about what I did and just definitely amazed at what type of player I am, and [are] super excited to see what type of player I can develop into because I don't really think I hit my peak. I know that for sure. I didn't hit my prime yet, so just ready for that and ready to show the world that."
His versatility on defense has proved to be his superpower.
"He's playing a lot of positions on this defense," Devon Witherspoon said. "He can do everything, literally. He can go play on the end, on the line of scrimmage, he can play on the second level, third level, no matter where you put him at. So I tried to teach him about nickel, but for the majority he's been doing it on his own."
Even though coaches were concerned with overloading the rookie with too much too soon, which meant Emmanwori was learning different positions and sitting in on different position group meetings throughout the week, he's taken it all with grace.
"They got to show me that I can't do it," he said.
Emmanwori added, "I've always been super confident. Even when I was in middle school, elementary school, I always thought I was the fastest, the strongest, that's just been kind of [ingrained] and born into me. But when I came here, I think the NFL is definitely a different league than college…I'm going to do everything until someone shows me I can't, so that's what my mindset right there."
Throughout the season, it's been well documented how much the culture and environment and the connectedness of the team has contributed to the success individual players and the entire team is seeing.
Emmanwori said he's been able to flourish this season because of a "mix of the best of everything."
"I thrive because of me," he said. "I also thrive because of the coaching and the scheme. I also thrive because of the players… I feel like any scheme or any defense I've played in, I thought I thrived or did exactly what I needed to do, but landing here specifically with coach Mike (Macdonald) knowing that he had players like me before and just a great defensive mind and now we have great players, [it's] just like the perfect storm mix. Playing in different positions, at first, they tried to tell me, 'We don't want to overwhelm you.' But I was trying to tell them, 'Just put everything on my plate and just let me see what I can take. And as the season [went] on, it progressed… There's still some more stuff I want to do, but right now, I think I'm playing good, great, very good ball. So, I'm just on the same page as the coaches, but as far as that, just in a good spot overall."
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center as they get ready for their upcoming divisional round matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Karl Scott at practice on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (32) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) and fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
