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Wednesday Round-Up: Seahawks Earn A- Grade to Lead NFC West in NFL Nation 2022 Rookie Grades 

In NFL Draft Insider Eric Edholm’s latest NFC West rookie rankings, Seattle earns the only A in the division.

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Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, February 22 — about your Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks Rookie Class Earns More Praise

With four draft picks in the first two rounds, Seattle looks to find more impact players to improve on a 9-8 2022 season. And after the success of this year's rookie class, optimism is increasing around what Seattle will do to improve this offseason. NFL draft insider Eric Edholm gives the Seahawks an A- for their 2022 draft efforts, earning the NFC West’s highest mark.

Of Seattle's nine draft selections last April, seven earned significant playing time. Two rookies, running back Kenneth Walker III and corner Tariq Woolen were finalists for AP Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, respectively.

From Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas becoming the first pair of rookie tackles to start a team's first 15 games since the 1970 merger, to Walker becoming the second Seahawks rookie to rush for 1,000 yards in team history, to Woolen tying for the NFL lead with six interceptions, the season was one to remember for the first-year group. Edholm breaks down why Seattle earns an A- and sits atop the division looking ahead to the offseason.

Seattle Seahawks

Total picks: 9 · Record: 9-8

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Round 4:

Round 5:

Round 7:

It's not a stretch to say that the Seahawks might not have returned to the postseason without the contributions of their rookie class. They received notable playing time from six first-year players -- three on offense, three on defense -- and replenished some of the depth issues that plagued Seattle down the stretch in recent seasons.

They addressed offensive tackle in a big way with Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, who started all but one game combined last season and hardly embarrassed themselves. Cross had a few rough patches, allowing seven sacks (per PFF) and committing nine penalties, but displayed enough promise to cast him as the left tackle for the foreseeable future. And Lucas used his college experience to provide surprisingly steady play on the right side, especially as a pass blocker.

Kenneth Walker III actually received morefirst-place votesfor Offensive Rookie of the Year than winnerGarrett Wilson, giving the Seahawks their latest tackle breaker in the backfield. Despite being brought along slowly at first and suffering a late-season ankle injury, Walker surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark and ran for 97 or more yards in six of his 11 starts.

Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant might be the Seahawks' starting corners for the next few years. How Woolen fell to Round 5 is anyone's guess, but he's a Seattle-style corner if there ever was one, tying for the league lead in picks with six (one pick-six) and flashing outstanding playmaking ability. Bryant opened eyes with four forced fumbles and has the makings of a quality slot corner if he can clean up his tackling and tighten his coverage a shade. Boye Mafe brought energy as a subpackage rusher and figures to reprise that role -- or even start -- in 2023.

As contract extensions get underway, Seattle's roster will begin to look different as we progress towards free agency and April's draft. If the 2022 season does nothing else, it should show the team's ability to find players in any round to buy in.

Social Post Of The Day

Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen reflects on covering teammates DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to improve on the 2 Up 2 Down Podcast. #Seahawks

Take a look back at some of the best photos of Seahawks linebacker Nick Bellore from the 2022 season.

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