Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, April 8 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Lockett, Rawls Set For Big Sophomore Campaigns?
Five former professional football players turned NFL analysts examine how key figures from last year's draft class are progressing and predict which players are poised to break out in their second NFL seasons. Of the players mentioned by the NFL.com crew, two are from Seattle: wide receiver Tyler Lockett and running back Thomas Rawls.
Lockett, who the Seahawks traded up to select in the third round of last year's draft, earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as a returner during his rookie year. But he also became a key contributor on Seattle's offense, finishing his first season with 51 catches for 664 yards and six touchdowns. Rawls, meanwhile, started seven games last year for an injured Marshawn Lynch and topped 100 yards rushing in four of them, including a franchise rookie record 209 yards on the ground in Week 11. The former undrafted rookie free agent's first season ended early with an ankle injury, but he's expected to be ready for training camp this summer.
Here's what NFL.com's staff had to say about Lockett and Rawls:
Michael Robinson - Tyler Lockett was a thrilling playmaker in Year 1, but he'll truly arrive in Year 2: Tyler Lockett made a big impact on special teams for the Seahawks and also provided some nice production as a slot receiver last season. With a healthy Jimmy Graham -- who will be in the slot with Doug Baldwin -- Lockett will more than likely be up against the fourth or fifth defensive back. He's going to eat those guys alive and put up big numbers on the perimeter for Seattle in his second pro season.
Ike Taylor - If healthy, Thomas Rawls could become Beast Mode 2.0: Before Thomas Rawls was injured last season, he was lighting it up for Seattle. As an undrafted free-agent signee, Rawls played far better than anyone expected. He would've reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season had he stayed healthy. With Rawls' talent, I don't think the Seahawks are in much of a panic in the wake of Beast Mode announcing his retirement. I'm expecting Rawls to do a lot in the ground game, because he'll be carrying the load this season.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from NFL on FOX, which shares a short video promoting UFC champion Miesha Tate to raise the 12 Flag this upcoming season. Tate, a Tacoma, Wash. native, used her UFC 196 post-fight press conference to drop a hint to the organization that she'd like to raise the flag this fall.
More From Around The Web
In case you missed it, the Seahawks announced their 2016 preseason schedule yesterday.
Dan Hanzus at NFL.com picks the Seahawks' third exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys as one of eight games to watch this preseason.
Charley Casserly at NFL.com released his first mock draft of the year and predicts the Seahawks will select Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche in round one, writing, "Fills major need. Best value pick in the draft if he stays out of trouble."
In his latest first-round mock draft, Will Brinson at CBSSports.com has the Seahawks going with Ohio State outside linebacker Darron Lee at No. 26, writing, "Speedy linebacker looks like the sort of jack-knife weapon the Seahawks could deploy all over the field and comes at a nice value later in the first round."
And Mike Mayock at NFL.com released his latest positional rankings for the 2016 NFL Draft.
With the 2016 preseason schedule announced, take a look back at some of the best shots the Seahawks have had against our four preseason opponents.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - PRESEASON -
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - PRESEASON -
Linebacker Bobby Wagner implores the 12's for more noise in the second half.
Cornerback Richard Sherman grabs the arm of Dallas running back DeMarco Murray in the fourth quarter.
Doug Baldwin strikes a pose after scoring Seattle's first touchdown on a pass from Russell Wilson.
Defensive lineman Michael Bennett beat a Kansas City double-team, but was grabbed by the arm and held before he could put pressure on Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. No penalty was called on the play.
Quarterback Russell Wilson scampers for yardage off the right side on a keeper as another 12 flag can be seen in the background.
Cornerback Richard Sherman comes up to the line of scrimmage to take down Kansas City's Jamal Charles deep in Chiefs territory.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, right, breaks up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson (19) in the first quarter Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Eddie Kennison #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs being blocked by corner back Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium on October 29, 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Seahawks 35-28. (AP Photo/David Drapkin)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace calls a timeout in a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Thursday, August 8, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 24-19 in preseason game. Oakland Raiders linebacker Pat Swilling (56) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Gino Torretta (13) passes to running back Lamar Smith (36). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Warren Moon (1) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 1997 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 20-17. (AP Photo/David Stluka)
Seattle Seahawks running back Ahman Green (30) runs upfield in a 21 to 20 Seattle Seahawks win over the Dallas Cowboys on July 31, 1998 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/James Smith)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, November 15, 1998. Raiders beat Seahawks 20-17. Oakland Raiders linebacker Richard Harvey (52) eyes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Warren Moon (1). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 5, 1999. Raiders beat Seahawks 30-21. Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) runs away from Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
SEATTLE - OCTOBER 23: Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs a pass pattern against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on October 23, 2005 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
SEATTLE - OCTOBER 23: Linebacker DeMarques Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys runs against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on October 23, 2005 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
SEATTLE - OCTOBER 23: Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks players line up on the line of scrimmage prior to the snap at Qwest Field on October 23, 2005 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
