Ted’s Talk: Predicting Tyrice Knight’s rookie season with the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks had the second choose of the fourth spherical at No. 102 however traded again and added extra draft capital. Then, at No. 118, they went in opposition to the mock draft hive thoughts and selected linebacker Tyrice Knight from the College of Texas-El Paso. Knight is a tackling machine however will want loads of refinement to be a constant contributor on the NFL stage.

Athletic Profile/Comps

Relative Athletic Rating (RAS)

Mockdraftable

Hmm, there’s a theme right here that’s a bit regarding in that Knight is undersized for his place similar to Byron Murphy II and Christian Haynes. Possibly the brand new regime is large on “Quick Kings” or wish to construct a staff with nice pure leverage!

Knight is a good athlete total, however his RAS pace scores are nice, significantly the 1.59 second 10-yard cut up. His agility grade is simply “OK” which doesn’t encourage confidence contemplating the need for fast lateral actions at LB. Hey, no less than taking a look at his spider graph on Mockdraftable reveals that he’s bought an excellent wingspan for the place in order that’s one thing.

As for the comps, there’s one standout on Mockdraftable – Mike Macdonald’s former centerpiece in Baltimore, Roquan Smith. Don’t get too excited, although, as a result of a better look with RAS reveals that although they’re an analogous measurement, Smith is quicker almost cracking into the 4.4’s on his 40. We additionally don’t have shuttle or 3-cone scores to check which weren’t a power for Knight.

The RAS comparability for Knight and Lavonte David has extra substance.

Knight and David have near-identical measurement and the pace scores are additionally very, very shut. Whereas Knight is a bit stronger, David separates himself a bit within the shuttle…once more, probably essential for the LB place. Though David solely had one Professional Bowl and one All-Professional season, he’s began all 181 video games he’s performed within the NFL and may surpass the 1,500 deal with mark this season. If Knight can have even half the profession of David, this could be an absolute steal.

Only for enjoyable, I discovered just a few former Seahawks LBs which might be in the identical RAS vary, athletically.

Though ought to we actually rely Iyiegbuniwe since he didn’t make the staff in 2022 after being signed that offseason? And why did I bear in mind him and test for the comp? I’m a sicko.

Intestine response to the choose

When Seattle traded again from No. 102, I used to be blissful. There have been nonetheless loads of good gamers out there and the Seahawks have been in a position to recoup a fifth-round choose. On the clock at No. 118, loads of these gamers I used to be eyeing have been nonetheless sitting on the board.

As Tyrice Knight’s title appeared on the display screen, my feeling was actually apathetic. I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t excited. It was “wonderful.”

Linebacker was a necessity and Seattle had met with Knight, so we knew he was on their radar. It wasn’t a shocking choose, aside from the truth that many individuals thought he could be drafted later. Clearly, that’s subjective since Seattle’s entrance workplace felt that Knight warranted that choice. Mike Macdonald lower his tooth as a LB coach and Schneider seemingly deferred to him a bit with this choice. That, in itself, is no less than somewhat encouraging.

There are others, together with Senior Bowl Director and ex-Seahawks worker Jim Nagy, who’re additionally bullish on Knight.

Seattle wanted competitors on the LB place. There have been different choices on the board and but they most popular Tyrice Knight, who visited Seattle. All of it made sense, even when it didn’t have me leaping for pleasure.

Rookie season prediction

The Seahawks utterly remade the LB corps this offseason, bringing on Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson on one-year contracts. I’m anticipating them to be the starters when the common season opens in September. With their contract conditions, every shall be enjoying for his or her potential future with the staff.

Knight, then again, ought to have a safe roster spot for no less than years whereas he develops and can most likely be a pet venture for Mike Macdonald given his LB coach background.

This yr although? He’ll possible be relegated to particular groups and might want to earn snaps on protection. Preseason shall be particularly essential for his growth as he learns a brand new system. Macdonald stated Knight will possible begin at WLB but additionally desires to work him at MLB. If Knight improves all through the season and earns the coaches’ belief, there’s probability that the Seahawks will head into subsequent offseason with Knight as one of many beginning LBs together with one in all Baker or Dodson on a long run contract.

I may see a rookie season much like 2019 third-round choose Cody Barton, who was primarily a backup and particular teamer however began 2 video games because of damage late within the season. Knight shall be a focus for everybody in preseason and can rack up the tackles whereas additionally wanting overmatched at occasions. He’ll begin the season as the highest backup LB and can end with 25 tackles and be concerned in 1 turnover on particular groups, be it a pressured fumble or fumble restoration.