One 12 months isn’t sufficient to find out the way forward for rookies. Gamers are nonetheless adapting to the NFL, to the brand new scheme, and there are numerous modifications without delay. Nonetheless, it’s attainable to get an concept of how these rookies can produce of their second 12 months and past.
Let’s go and assessment how the 2024 Seattle Seahawks draft class carried out!
Byron Murphy II, DT
The Seahawks had Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon competing for the Defensive Rookie of the 12 months award over the previous two seasons. When the Seahawks chosen Byron Murphy II, given what Mike Macdonald did with the Ravens’ DL, I anticipated the previous Longhorn to be a prime candidate for the DROY.
If you concentrate on it with that prime expectation, it could sound like a little bit disappointment for the primary spherical decide. Nonetheless, Murphy principally missed 4 video games resulting from an harm early within the sport in opposition to the Dolphins. However when he returned to the crew, he was a basic a part of the development in defending the working sport. As well as, he left hope for a significantly better second 12 months within the go rush, in numbers.
He was sixth in Protection Grade (58.2) and Rush Protection (54) amongst DTs. Murphy was moreover fourth in Go Rush Grade with (64.5), getting 23 pressures, the third greatest quantity amongst rookies. He was behind solely his former teammate, T’Vondre Sweat with 23 and Braden Fiske who had an unbelievable 51 (along with 9 sacks).
He was fifth in Run Stops with 17, behind Johnny Newton, Jonah Laulu, and, once more, T’Vondre Sweat and Braden Fiske. He solely missed 2 tackles, being the rookie DT who made the fewest errors behind Evan Anderson and Elijah Chatman who didn’t miss any.
Christian Haynes, OG
As I stated within the introduction, one 12 months is just too quick to provide a verdict on a participant. Nonetheless, Haynes’ state of affairs could be very difficult. He’ll want a giant change to realize one thing totally different in his profession. The previous UConn participant was chosen for his excessive ground and never his ceiling. He’s a starter with principally six years of school. So, he would arrive older and with numerous expertise. It appeared that with an OL stuffed with issues, it will solely be a matter of time for him to change into a starter.
Issues didn’t fairly work out that approach. The second-year Anthony Bradford began coaching camp as a starter. Many head coaches desire to maintain the gamers who have been already within the group, for the sake of “respect.” Nonetheless, Bradford acquired injured and what appeared like the proper time for Haynes to take over the place didn’t occur. McClendon Curtis turns into the starter. If you happen to watched Seattle’s preseason video games, you can see the priority that Haynes wouldn’t be capable of beat him.
The season begins and Haynes begins sharing snaps with Bradford. Though Laken Tomlinson and Bradford fashioned one of many worst guard duos within the league, Haynes didn’t get the beginning job. Former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb stated that Haynes was lacking snaps resulting from energy and approach points.
Bradford acquired injured and positioned on IR. As soon as once more, it appeared like the proper time for him to take over the beginning position, however that’s not what occurred (once more). The crew prefered to make use of Sataoa Laumea, a participant who had been inactive all 12 months. This displays nicely on what the teaching workers thinks of him and, due to this fact, is worrying for his future.
He completed his rookie season with 167 snaps, 6 pressures allowed, 5 hurries and 1 sack, along with 2 fouls. His Go Block Grade was 51.9 and his Run Block Grade was 49.8.
Tyrice Knight, LB
Someday I used to be watching Arizona vs. UTEP, centered on the Wildcats’ prospects. Nonetheless, the Miners’ No. 10 was turning heads, showing all around the discipline, a tackling machine. I began following him carefully, so when he was chosen by Seattle within the fourth spherical, I had extra hope than most followers.
We’ve stated a couple of instances that Seattle made a mistake in its LB lineup; from the departure of Jordyn Brooks to the signings of Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker. Knight shared some snaps with Baker in Week 2 within the win in opposition to the New England Patriots. Baker was injured and Knight was the starter in opposition to the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, sharing snaps this time with Drake Thomas.
The Seahawks traded Baker for Ernest Jones and reduce Dodson within the bye week. This lastly put Knight as a full-time starter and he shined. He was an necessary a part of the crew’s development within the working sport, one thing that Baker and Dodson have been horrible at. The rookie completed with solely 6 missed tackles, behind solely Omar Speights of the Rams.
Knight additionally confirmed that the passing sport, which might be his important concern coming from UTEP, wouldn’t be such a giant drawback. He’ll nonetheless must adapt, however the end result was way more constructive than anticipated. He gave up a 76% completion fee, the second-best mark amongst rookies. Knight was additionally an necessary participant as a blitzer/go rusher. He completed the 12 months with 10 pressures (third), 2 sacks (2nd), 2 hits and 6 hurries (2nd).
AJ Barner, TE
Barner’s choice was attention-grabbing. I had him as a fifth-round prospect, so he didn’t come out a lot sooner than my projection. The attention-grabbing factor is that he was chosen, in principle, for his blocking expertise. However that’s not what made him stand out.
He was fifth and fourth amongst rookies in go block and run block grade, respectively. Nonetheless, he was fairly inconsistent from sport to sport, uncharacteristically lacking among the blocks he used to make masterfully at Michigan. Going into the numbers as a receiver, he acquired the second-best grade behind solely the unbelievable Brock Bowers. He additionally trailed the Raiders rookie in TDs by a rely of 5-4. The distinction is that Barner did it with 37 targets and 30 receptions and Bowers with 148 and 112, respectively.
Barner had three drops, in order that’s one other level to enhance desirous about 12 months 2. If he can repair his blocking flaws and hold enhancing within the passing sport, he may change into the TE1 prior to we thought.
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB
I bear in mind when the previous Auburn participant was chosen, many claimed he was a attainable steal of the Draft. Nicely, his first 12 months lived as much as that expectation. He was fairly inconsistent within the preseason, however he managed to remain on the roster.
He was the sixth choice after Spoon, Riq Woolen, Tre Brown, Josh Jobe (who began the 12 months on the follow squad) and Artie Burns (who spent many of the 12 months on the follow squad). Pritchett performed 151 snaps, receiving the bottom grade of ALL rookies within the class, in addition to the second-lowest grade in protection. Though he performed simply over 151 snaps, he was 14th in missed tackles with 6, and second in missed sort out proportion.
His numbers weren’t worse as a result of he performed fewer snaps. On 20 targets, he gave up 13 receptions, 205 yards, 1 TD, no INTs and just one go deflection.
Sataoa Laumea, OG
Maybe when Laumea took over because the starter, because of the circumstances defined within the Haynes thread, the unsuspecting fan may not have even recognized who he was. That is pure since Laumea was on the third and fourth groups throughout coaching camp. There was a higher likelihood of him being reduce earlier than the common season than of him having a snap in his first 12 months.
Laumea was inactive till Week 13 (earlier than Bradford’s harm). I can’t perceive how somebody who didn’t practice nicely sufficient to be energetic in video games may very well be higher than Haynes in follow. If that was true, why wasn’t Haynes inactive?
Anyway…
The previous Utah participant took over because the starter and was answerable for Seattle’s greatest moments within the working sport on this last stretch (Weeks 13 – 17). Actually, our OC may have explored working the ball to the proper facet of the OL way more.
Nonetheless, Laumea had numerous issues in go safety. The worst grade among the many rookies was his, 17.8, the second worst was 41.9, only for comparability. He surrendered 23 pressures, 17 of which got here in opposition to the Packers (10) and Vikings (7). He surrendered 2 in opposition to the Jets, 1 in opposition to the Playing cards, 0 in opposition to the Bears and three in opposition to the Rams.
The RG place is at the moment open, and doubtless the LG place as nicely. Laumea might want to present that he’s able to defending the QB if he desires to stay because the starter in 2025.
DJ James, CB
The one one from the rookie class who didn’t make the roster. He was additionally not introduced onto Seattle’s follow squad. James earned a spot on the New England Patriots’ follow squad, the place he stayed your complete season.
Michael Jerrell, OT
Jerrell was a big gamble coming from the unknown Findlay. A really athletic participant, however he would wish some refinement, one thing Seattle was not capable of provide. Abe Lucas didn’t get well for the beginning of the common season, which gave Jerrell an opportunity to make the roster.
After different accidents, equivalent to these to George Fant and Stone Forsythe, Jerrell grew to become a starter in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Payments. He performed many of the snaps in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, a couple of in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, and was a starter once more, this time in opposition to the Rams, after Lucas was injured once more.
He performed 250 snaps, 15 pressures allowed, 3 sacks, 2 hits, and 10 hurries. He acquired the third-worst run-block grade and the second-worst pass-block grade. Nonetheless, he was the bottom decide on the rookie listing. You’ll be able to’t ask for way more from a sixth-rounder who performed within the FBS final 12 months. I believe he was very productive, and if we are able to get a reliable OL and OC, Jerrell may very well be an incredible asset sooner or later.
UDFA class
The UDFA class doesn’t have numerous potential. The athletic Jalen Sundell managed to make the roster, shocking many individuals. He had a couple of snaps as an extra OL and FB, till he took over because the starter halfway by way of the sport in opposition to the Packers after Olu Oluwatimi was injured.
The one different UDFA who deserves some point out is George Holani. He was the standout within the preseason and prompted some “revolt” when he didn’t make the roster. Perhaps the explanation for this was his well being; he even went on IR in the course of the season whereas on the follow squad. Holani ended up being promoted and eventually promoted to the 53 on the finish of the season, however he produced little, as soon as once more leaving solely expectations.
Last Ideas
I believe it was a passable first 12 months. As a lot as we anticipated a little bit extra from Byron Murphy, the one disappointment was Haynes. The steadiness was very constructive on Day 3. Laumea and Jerrell did greater than you’d count on from sixth-round picks. As well as, Knight grew to become a strong starter and Barner was an necessary a part of the offense, particularly within the last stretch of the season.
