Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Tuesday, August 29 — about your Seattle Seahawks
With just a week remaining until the 2023 season kicks off, the team of NFL experts at ESPN joined forces for their annual Top-100 based on performance expectations for the upcoming season. Seattle wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and cornerback Riq Woolen earn spots on the list.
Metcalf was part of the Athletic's best 25-or-younger players in the league earlier this month. The 25-year-old Ole Miss alum is coming off his second 1,000-yard season of his career (1,048), while catching a career-high 90 receptions in 2022. The fifth-year veteran has been on a tear, catching 35 touchdowns in four seasons. In 2022, Metcalf became just the fifth wideout in league history to record 300 receptions, 4,000 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns in his first-four seasons. Metcalf lands at No.52 on the Top-100, with some insight provided on his early-career dominance and a quote from Seahawks Receivers coach Sanjay Lal.
52. DK Metcalf
WR | Seahawks
Age: 25
2022 rank: 51
After falling to pick No. 64 in 2019 because of questions about his health and route running, Metcalf hasn't missed a game. Jaxon Smith-Njigba could cut into his targets in 2023, but he could also create more one-on-one matchups for the often double-teamed Metcalf. -- Brady Henderson
Signature stat: Metcalf has 4,218 receiving yards through his first four seasons.
What they are saying: "He's the best receiver I've ever been around that took the techniques from practice into the game. Like if we ran a stutter-hinge versus Patrick Peterson, how it looked in walk-through, how it looked in an individual period, how it looked in team is exactly how it looked against Arizona." -- Seahawks wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal
2023 projection: 78 receptions, 1,017 yards, 8 TDs
Last April, Seattle selected Woolen in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. The lightning-fast corner picked up on the speed of the NFL game rather quickly, tying for the league-lead in interceptions with six. Anticipation is high for Woolen's second season, after helping Seattle earn an NFC Wild Card appearance and a 2022 Pro Bowl selection. The ESPN team breaks down why the second-year cornerback lands at No. 82 on the list after just one season.
82. Riq Woolen
CB | Seahawks
Age: 24
2022 rank: NR
The 6-foot-4 Woolen ran a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 combine and burst onto the NFL scene just as quickly. As a fifth-round pick, he made the Pro Bowl after intercepting six passes to tie for the league lead. It was only his third full season at cornerback (former wide receiver), leaving plenty of room for growth in 2023. -- Brady Henderson
Signature stat: Woolen's six interceptions in 2022 were the most by a rookie since 2015.
What they are saying: "He's such a talented athlete. It's more than that, though. ... His days as a receiver haven't left him. He understands routes and he can feel the routes when they're happening." -- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll
2023 projection: 63 tackles, 2 INTs
2022 marked the fourth-consecutive 1,000-yard season (1,033) for Lockett, joining Seahawks Legend Steve Largent as the only Seattle wideouts to accomplish the streak. The Kansas State alum caught nine touchdowns in 2022, the fifth-consecutive season with eight or more receiving scores for Lockett. The ESPN team, led by Around the NFL writer Brady Henderson, broke down why Lockett comes in at No.90.
90. Tyler Lockett
WR | Seahawks
Age: 30
2022 rank: NR
Is Lockett the NFL's most underrated wide receiver? Over the past five seasons, his 5,284 receiving yards are eighth most at that position, while his 45 receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth. With four straight 1,000-yard seasons and only two missed games in that span, he isn't showing any signs of slowing down as he approaches his 31st birthday in September. -- Brady Henderson
Signature stat: Since entering the NFL in 2015, Lockett has 18 touchdowns on passes thrown 30-plus yards downfield (five came last season) -- which is second in the NFL behind Tyreek Hill (24).
What they are saying: "He came to camp in the best shape I've seen him in five, six years. I can't remember a year, really, when he was in better condition or [had] better speed early in camp." -- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll
2023 projection: 81 receptions, 876 yards, 5 TDs
Social Post Of The Day
Coach Pete Carroll joins Legend K.J. Wright on the KJ Wright Show to discuss what he looks for in a player to build around.
More from Around The Web
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks waive five more as roster cutdown deadline looms.
Brock Huard of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard’s Seahawks Observations: What we learned from preseason.
Maura Dooley of Seattle Sports 710AM: Which Seahawks stand out after preseason and training camp?
Adam Schultz of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks WR Jake Bobo Reveals Secret to Preseason Success.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers on August 26, 2023 at Lambeau Field. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Famed Lambeau Field in Green Bay is shrouded by an incoming storm clouds the night before the game.
On the morning of the game, receiver Tyler Lockett walks to the team's buses.
LInebacker Devin Bush signs autographs for fans before the game.
Seahawks receiver John Hall catches passes during early warmups.
Seahawks edge Derick Hall gets warmed up before the game.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet runs on the field during early warmups.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi gets some snaps in during early pregame.
Running back Kenneth Walker III runs laps around the field during early pregame warmups.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner and head coach Pete Carroll chat on the field before the game.
These Seahawks fans were focused on receiver DK Metcalf.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner signs autographs before the game.
Seahawks offensive lineman Jake Curhan during pregame warmups.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll talk on the field before the game.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock reviews game plans in a corner outside of the locker room in the final mintes before the game.
The Seahawks head down the stairs leading from the locker room down to the playing field at Lambeau Field.
Head referee Craig Wrolstad adminsters the pregame coin toss before the game. Seahawks captains for the game were Nick Bellore, John Hall and Stone Forsythe.
Safety Joey Blount breaks up a pass on the first drive of the game.
Quarterback Drew Lock fires a pass as the line, including Anthony Bradford and Olu Oluwatimi provide protection.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson lets one fly.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns tackles Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
Seattle linebacker Jon Rhattigan makes one of his 11 tackles during the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after the defense held on fourth down.
Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas finds running room in the second quarter.
Undrafted free-agent receiver Jake Bobo gets open and catches a touchdown pass from Drew Lock.
Receiver Jake Bobo celebrates with quarterback Drew Lock after the two connected for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Head coach Pete Carroll gives instruction to defensive backs Coby Bryant and Artie Burns.
Seahawks defensive end Lvei Bell makes a tackle as teammate Jacob Sykes flies in to help.
During halftime, members of the Seahawks offensive unit listen to instructions in the locker room.
On the other side of the locker room, Seahawks defensive personnel listen as linebackers coach John Glenn provides instruction.
Seahawks defensive backs Jerrick Reed II and Artie Burns defend a pass that fell incomplete.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns has a pass breakup in the third quarter.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jacob Sykes listens to assistant coach Damione Lewis on the sidelines.
Seahawks Levi Bell and Matt Gotel pressure Packers quarterback Alex McGough.
Seahawks receiver Easop Winston, Jr. hauls in a pass in the fourth quarter.
Defensive end Levi Bell lined up at fullback as the Seahawks ran the ball near the goal line.
Seahawks running back Sarodorick Thompson scores as teammate Greg Eiland celebrates with him.
Seahawks defensive tackle Matt Gotel celebrates after making a tackle.
Seahawks quarterback Holton Ahlers fires a pass in the fourth quarter.
After the game, head coach Pete Carroll addresses the team in the locker room.
