Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Thursday, August 19 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
DK Metcalf Listed As One Of Top 10 Players Under 25
2020 was the year that Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf officially gave the NFL notice of his imminent stardom. The 23-year-old recorded 83 catches and a franchise record 1,303 receiving yards along with 10 touchdowns on the way to earning second team All-Pro honors in just his second year in the league.
Even with all of the success of last season, a “hungry” Metcalf has vowed to make 2021 an even better one. And with a different offensive scheme led by new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron — a scheme that emphasizes tempo and quick throws, and that still features Metcalf and fellow All-Pro receiver Tyler Lockett — it seems fair to expect the Ole Miss product to make another big jump in his third season.
On Wednesday, NFL.com analyst and former All-Pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew put out his list of the top 10 players in the NFL under 25, and Metcalf slotted in at number 8 on the strength of his remarkable first two seasons in the league.
"Metcalf has delivered in every aspect since he walked shirtless into a meeting at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine with the team that would later draft him," Jones-Drew says. "In his first two seasons, he's recorded 2,518 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns (including the playoffs), evidence that he deserves to be considered among the game's elite, thanks to a combination of his size (6-foot-4, 235 pounds), near-Olympic-caliber speed and confidence. I don't think the Seahawks get close to the playoff team they've been the past two seasons without him. Dominating the game's top defensive backs with ease week in and week out, Metcalf is becoming the gold standard at the receiver position."
Peter Schrager: "Four Budding Stars" Among Seahawks' Front 7
Rushing the passer was an area of concern for the Seahawks early last season. That was remedied in part by a trade for Carlos Dunlap II midway through the year — he went on to record 5.0 sacks in eight games and contribute to a huge defensive turnaround for the entire defensive unit.
Now, Seahawks fans and coaches alike are excited about the prospect of starting the season with that renewed focus of getting to the opposing team's quarterback. Besides the veteran Dunlap, the Seahawks' defensive front features a number of young players who seem ready to take a step forward and make a big impact in 2021.
NFL analyst Peter Schrager tweeted on Wednesday that he believes Darrell Taylor, Poona Ford, L.J. Collier and Jordyn Brooks to be "four budding stars" among the Hawks' front seven.
After missing his entire rookie season with a leg injury, Taylor saw his first NFL action in Saturday's preseason opener against the Raiders and showed promise. The 2020 second-round pick has performed well in training camp and figures to play a big role for the defense in 2021.
Fan favorite Poona Ford set career highs across the board last season and has been talked about as a potential breakout player for the Seahawks this season. Former first round pick L.J. Collier will look to build on his successful sophomore campaign after spending much of 2019 battling injuries, and fellow first-rounder Jordyn Brooks is in line to start at linebacker alongside Bobby Wagner, filling the void left by K.J. Wright. Also providing depth are Rasheem Green, another pass rusher who performed well against the Raiders on Saturday, and 2020 fifth-round pick Alton Robinson, now considered a draft steal after totaling four sacks, 21 total tackles and a forced fumble in 14 games a season ago.
Social Post Of The Day
Russell Wilson congratulates Jamal Adams following the announcement of Adams' contract extension:
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle with takeaways from Russell Wilson’s Wednesday press conference.
Also at Seahawks.com, Boyle with observations from Day 15 of Seahawks training camp.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune on Al Woods’ return to football after a year away.
Sports Illustrated's Corbin Smith on how Rasheem Green has changed his game heading into his fourth season
