It’s been no secret that within the years for the reason that Malik McDowell debacle the Seattle Seahawks have constructed their draft board as a way to deal with extra mature prospects. It’s a method that has produced combined returns, and one might query its effectiveness on condition that a number of the highest performing draft picks in latest staff historical past have been these chosen very younger.
The gamers who have been drafted younger and carried out at a really excessive degree within the NFL embrace the likes of:
DK Metcalf: 22 12 months outdated rookie who has 6,324 receiving yards and 48 TD at simply 27 years of age
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 1,130 receiving yards and 6 TD as a 22 12 months outdated second 12 months participant
Ken Walker: 1,050 yards and 9 TD as a 21 12 months outdated rookie in 2022
The explanation age on the time of being drafted is as soon as once more immediately related is that on Thursday night Jared Verse of the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams took dwelling Defensive Rookie of the Yr {hardware}.
Now, Verse is, after all, not what one would describe as a younger participant who carried out at a excessive degree at a younger age for a rookie within the NFL. The truth is, Verse turned 24 in the course of the season, making him one of many older members of the 2024 rookie group. Additional, it’s virtually as if the Rams caught lightning in a bottle with their rookie class, with fellow 24 12 months outdated rookie Braden Fiske racking up 8.5 sacks and 44 tackles enjoying subsequent to Verse.
So, is there one thing particular about Verse and Fiske that would lead one to consider they could outperform different 24 12 months outdated rookies, or is it simply randomness? Nicely, it seems Los Angeles could have focused a particular space of inefficiency in terms of drafting older gamers, however earlier than attending to that, right here’s a fast evaluation of a number of the older Seahawks drafted on Day 1 or Day 2 in latest seasons:
L.J. Collier: 24 12 months outdated rookie in 2019
Dee Eskdrige: 24 12 months outdated rookie in 2021
Boye Mafe: 24 12 months outdated rookie in 2022
Abraham Lucas: 24 12 months outdated rookie in 2022
Christian Haynes: 24 12 months outdated rookie 2024
If the factors are expanded to incorporate fourth spherical picks Tyrice Knight and Phil Haynes get included as properly, and there’s a purpose why it’s related to incorporate these two within the evaluation. Getting again to the listed gamers, the rundown on them is that Collier and Eskridge produced subsequent to nothing for the Seahawks, whereas Haynes may be on that path, however only a single season into his profession it’s too early to put in writing him off. That stated, there are definitely questions after a season wherein he couldn’t see the sphere over the likes of Laken Tomlinson, Anthony Bradford and Sataoa Laumea.
Mafe has carried out properly, however most followers would admit that hopes have been for extra manufacturing in the course of the 2024 season supplied. Not that he’s been a disappointment in any approach, simply that his 9.0 sack 2023 season possible drove expectations increased than they in any other case would have been.
Lastly, coming to the analysis of Lucas, he’s been good when wholesome, however it seems apparent he possible slipped within the draft resulting from a mixture of age and the persistent knee subject that has restricted him to simply 682 offensive snaps over the previous two seasons mixed. How his troublesome knee holds up going ahead will unquestionably play a bigger position in analysis than his age.
Additionally on the offensive line is the aforementioned Haynes, who flashed at instances, however by no means proved himself dominant and was out of the NFL in 2024 at 29. In the meantime, Knight discovered himself on the bench studying in the course of the first half of his rookie season, earlier than taking on a beginning spot subsequent to Ernest Jones down the stretch and giving followers a purpose to hope for strong play within the years to come back.
Taking a step again, right here’s a fast evaluation of the place these older draftees performed their faculty soccer by season:
Collier: TCU (2014-2018)
Eskridge: Western Michigan (2016-2020)
Mafe: Minnesota (2017-2021)
Lucas: Washington State (2017-2021)
Christian Haynes: UConn (2018-2023)
Phil Haynes: Wake Forest (2014-2018)
Knight: Independence CC (2018-2019) and UTEP (2020-2023)
Now, for comparative functions, here’s a take a look at the place Verse and Fiske performed their faculty soccer:
Verse: Albany (2019-2021) and Florida State (2022-2023)
Fiske: Western Michigan (2019-2022) and Florida State (2023)
Now, it’s definitely doable that the truth that three of the highest performers in these lists are gamers who began at a smaller college earlier than transferring and the outcomes are nothing greater than randomness. In fact, it’s additionally completely doable that there could possibly be one thing behind the concept a participant who’s a pressure to be reckoned with at a smaller college at a younger age after which goes on to instantly be an affect participant on a much bigger stage may be a greater prospect than somebody the identical age who didn’t dominate till they have been older and greater than their competitors.
With all that stated, earlier than instantly dismissing the concept, it might be worthwhile to look again at whether or not the Seahawks have ever discovered success drafting an older prospect who transferred after beginning their profession enjoying JUCO ball.
Photograph by Stephen Brashear/Getty Photos
