Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Thursday, August 19 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
DK Metcalf Listed As One Of Top 10 Players Under 25
2020 was the year that Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf officially gave the NFL notice of his imminent stardom. The 23-year-old recorded 83 catches and a franchise record 1,303 receiving yards along with 10 touchdowns on the way to earning second team All-Pro honors in just his second year in the league.
Even with all of the success of last season, a "hungry" Metcalf has vowed to make 2021 an even better one. And with a different offensive scheme led by new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron — a scheme that emphasizes tempo and quick throws, and that still features Metcalf and fellow All-Pro receiver Tyler Lockett — it seems fair to expect the Ole Miss product to make another big jump in his third season.
On Wednesday, NFL.com analyst and former All-Pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew put out his list of the top 10 players in the NFL under 25, and Metcalf slotted in at number 8 on the strength of his remarkable first two seasons in the league.
"Metcalf has delivered in every aspect since he walked shirtless into a meeting at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine with the team that would later draft him," Jones-Drew says. "In his first two seasons, he's recorded 2,518 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns (including the playoffs), evidence that he deserves to be considered among the game's elite, thanks to a combination of his size (6-foot-4, 235 pounds), near-Olympic-caliber speed and confidence. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. Dominating the game's top defensive backs with ease week in and week out, Metcalf is becoming the gold standard at the receiver position."
Peter Schrager: "Four Budding Stars" Among Seahawks' Front 7
Rushing the passer was an area of concern for the Seahawks early last season. That was remedied in part by a trade for Carlos Dunlap II midway through the year — he went on to record 5.0 sacks in eight games and contribute to a huge defensive turnaround for the entire defensive unit.
Now, Seahawks fans and coaches alike are excited about the prospect of starting the season with that renewed focus of getting to the opposing team's quarterback. Besides the veteran Dunlap, the Seahawks' defensive front features a number of young players who seem ready to take a step forward and make a big impact in 2021.
NFL analyst Peter Schrager tweeted on Wednesday that he believes Darrell Taylor, Poona Ford, L.J. Collier and Jordyn Brooks to be "four budding stars" among the Hawks' front seven.
After missing his entire rookie season with a leg injury, Taylor saw his first NFL action in Saturday's preseason opener against the Raiders and showed promise. The 2020 second-round pick has performed well in training camp and figures to play a big role for the defense in 2021.
Fan favorite Poona Ford set career highs across the board last season and has been talked about as a potential breakout player for the Seahawks this season. Former first round pick L.J. Collier will look to build on his successful sophomore campaign after spending much of 2019 battling injuries, and fellow first-rounder Jordyn Brooks is in line to start at linebacker alongside Bobby Wagner, filling the void left by K.J. Wright. Also providing depth are Rasheem Green, another pass rusher who performed well against the Raiders on Saturday, and 2020 fifth-round pick Alton Robinson, now considered a draft steal after totaling four sacks, 21 total tackles and a forced fumble in 14 games a season ago.
Social Post Of The Day
Russell Wilson congratulates Jamal Adams following the announcement of Adams' contract extension:
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle with takeaways from Russell Wilson's Wednesday press conference.
Also at Seahawks.com, Boyle with observations from Day 15 of Seahawks training camp.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune on Al Woods' return to football after a year away.
Sports Illustrated's Corbin Smith on how Rasheem Green has changed his game heading into his fourth season
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' 20-7 preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks rookie D'Wayne Eskridge carries a box of food for the veterans as he makes his way to the buses for the first road trip of the season.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter for the trip to Las Vegas to face the Raiders.
The hotels of the Vegas Strip are off in the distance as Poona Ford heads for the team buses upon landing.
Rick Rainwater, left, and Chad Sensibaugh of the team's equipment staff help unload equipment from the belly of the the aircraft upon landing in Las Vegas.
Amelie Saint-Dizier, an intern on the training staff, helps set up the training area in the Seahawks locker room at Allegiant Stadium on Friday evening.
The Seahawks equipment staff set up all the players lockers upon arrival in Las Vegas.
Seahawks linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven goes over the top to prevent a touchdown early in the game.
Seahawks receiver Aaron Fuller leaves a Raiders defender in his wake on a first quater reception.
Seahawks defenders Ben Burr-Kirven, Jordyn Brooks and Ahkello Witherspoon combine on a tackle.
Seahawks defensive back Ryan Neal intercepts a pass by the Raider's Nathan Peterman.
Seahawks running backs coach Chad Morton celebrates with DeeJay Dallas after a touchdown in the second half.
Seahawks cornerback Ugo Amadi blitzes and pressures Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman into an incomplete pass.
Seahawks defensive lineman Rasheem Green sacks Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman.
Seahawks defenders cause a Raiders player to lose his helmet in the second half.
Veterans Carlos Dunlap and Bobby Wagner confer on the sidelines.
Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor pressures Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman.
Linebacker Cody Barton sacks Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman for Barton's second sack of the game.
Seattle linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven goes up to meet the Raiders running back on a goal line play.
On game day, offensive guard Damien Lewis waits for the team's brief walk-thru to begin at the hotel.
The Seahawks underwent a brief walkthru in the their team hotel on the morning of the game.
Seahawks running backs gather at the end of walkthru before returning to their rooms to relax before the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson heads leaves the team hotel on game day.
Seahawks 12s were loud and proud in the stands for the first NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The pair repped both teams on Saturday night for the game between the Seahawks and Raiders.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner signs auotographs for 12s before the game.
Seahawks defensive lineman Alton Robinson stretches in the locker room before the game.
The Seahawks head to the field for pregame warmups.
Seahawks quarterbacks Geno Smith, Sean Mannion and Alex McGough sit quietly in the locker room as they wait to take the field.
Seahawks Connor Wedington and Stone Forsythe lead the team down the tunnel from the visitor's locker room to the field prior to pregame introductions.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith lead the team onto the field at Allegiant Stadium for the presason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt instructs defensive end Darrell Taylor on the sidelines between series.
Seahawks running back Deejay Dallas scores after taking a short pass from quarterback Alex McGough on a fourth down play.
After the game, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson signs autographs on his way to the locker room.
The lights of the Las Vegas strip shine brightly as the Seahawks team buses pull up to their Delta charter for the return trip to Seattle.
