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Friday Round-Up: Seahawks Earn No. 4 Offensive Playmaker Ranking from ESPN

ESPN writer Bill Barnwell breaks down the potential dominance of each team’s skill groups ahead of the 2023 season.

Jul 07, 2023 at 02:19 PM

Maliik Obee

Seahawks.com Contributor

Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, July 7 — about your Seattle Seahawks.

Seahawks Offense Features Elite Weapons

In 2022, Seattle quarterback Geno Smith led the No. 13-ranked offensein offensive yards per game (351.5) on his way to taking home the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. After the Seahawks upgraded that offense in the offseason, ESPN writer Bill Barnwell breaks down why Seattle’s skill player group (running backs, wide receivers, tight ends) is the fourth-best in the league heading into 2023.

.@espn ranked the @Seahawks offensive weapons 4️⃣th best in the @NFL. 🫡🔥

📸: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/mU3RMNcrHs
— Seahawks Canada (@SeahawksCanada) July 5, 2023

This time last year, I was writing about how we would expect Seattle's playmakers to decline after Russell Wilson was swapped out for replacement-level quarterbacks. Oops. The Seahawks' offense thrived with Geno Smith last season, and their group of playmakers just got even better with the additions made by general manager John Schneider in April's draft.

We've talked about one-two punches quite a few times here, but I'm so excited to see what the top three wideouts can do in Seattle this season. Buoyed by pinpoint accuracy from Smith, we're going to be seeing highlight-reel catches from DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett /id/2577327/tyler-lockett)and first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It seems worth noting Smith-Njigba outperformed teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave when those three were together in Ohio State during the 2021 season. Of course, Wilson and Olave were just the league's two top rookie wideouts a year ago. Smith-Njigba is coming off a season marred by hamstring injuries, but if everyone stays healthy, this could be a fearsome big three._

If anything, Metcalf was unlucky to not have had a bigger season in 2022. The hulking wideout was targeted a league-high 24 times in the end zone, giving him nine more targets than any other player in the league. Unfortunately, after catching 40% of those targets across his first three seasons in the league, he caught 20% of those targets last season. If Metcalf gets that kind of usage in the end zone again, his touchdown total should spike back toward the 12 scores he had in 2021.

The Seahawks had their own candidate in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, as running back Kenneth Walker III finished second behind Wilson. Walker ranked 24th in expected points added per rush and 11th in rushing yards over expected per carry, both of which hint toward his explosiveness and big-play ability. Seattle didn't unlock a career year out of tight end Noah Fant who played more in a rotational role alongside Will Dissly. There's so much explosiveness here, though, with all the top players besides Lockett in their prime or about to enter it.

_With just two players over 30-or-older (Smith, Lockett), Seattle's offensive playmakers are just beginning to hit their stride. A dangerous thought for not only the rest of the NFC - but the league for years to come. _

Social Post Of The Day

Archbishop Murphy High giving thanks to alum and Seahawks tackle Abe Lucas for hosting his First-Annual League Advantage Youth Camp at his alma mater.

FIRST ANNUAL ABRAHAM LUCAS LEAGUE ADVANTAGE YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP!
Huge thank you to Abe Lucas for coming out & teaching/inspiring our youth! Go Hawks & Go Cats! Murphy pride runs deep!#wildcatpride #finishfriday #abelucas #abelucasseahawks #gohawks #seattleseahwaks #WSU #football pic.twitter.com/HtuZdFh3qY
— Archbishop Murphy HS Football (@MurphyFootball_) June 29, 2023

More From Around The Web

John Breech of CBS Sports: Ranking the NFL's top 10 punters entering 2023 season: Chiefs and Seahawks punters take the top two spots.

Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard: What ‘the bar’ is for Seahawks rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard: Why Seahawks’ O-line is position group with most upside.

Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated:Seahawks 90-Man Countdown: LB Devin Bush - Resurgence in Emerald City?

Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks ‘Batman’ Needs ‘Robin’: Who Starts Opposite Uchenna Nwosu?

Tim Weaver of Yahoo Sports: ESPN: Seahawks have 3 of the biggest NFL draft steals of the last decade.