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:

• (No. 9) Charles Cross, OT, 17 games/17 starts

Round 2:

• (40) Boye Mafe, OLB, 17 games/3 starts
• (41) Kenneth Walker III, RB, 15 games/11 starts

Round 3:

• (72) Abraham Lucas, OT, 16 games/16 starts

Round 4:

• (109) Coby Bryant, CB, 17 games/6 starts

Round 5:

• (153) Tariq Woolen, CB, 17 games/17 starts
• (158) Tyreke Smith, OLB, 0 games

Round 7:

• (229) Bo Melton, WR, 0 games (now w/ GB)
• (233) Dareke Young, WR, 13 games/0 starts

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

More from Around The Web

Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Seahawks re-sign right guard Phil Haynes to 1-year contract for 2023.

Zach Dimmitt of Sports Illustrated: 'It's Happening!': Seahawks Reveal Details on Throwback Jerseys for 2023.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Analysis: Explaining the Seahawks’ franchise tag options for Geno Smith.

Here at Seahawks.com, guard Phil Haynes signed a contract extension Tuesday.