This is the third part of a guest-post series written by Curtis Allen
#3 Wide Receivers
Roster Notes
Players under contract for 2021: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Freddie Swain
Players under contract for 2022: DK Metcalf, Freddie Swain
Restricted Free Agents: none
Unrestricted Free Agents: David Moore, Philip Dorsett, Josh Gordon (suspended)
Exclusive Rights Free Agents: none
Players signed to Futures Contracts: John Ursua, Will Fuller, Cody Thompson, Penny Hart
Salary Cap Notes
2021 Cap Commitment: $14.6 million (8.30% of $178m cap)
Tyler Lockett has $12.7m of his 2021 salary non-guaranteed
2020 Season Overview
As a whole it was a terrific year for the position group. Russell Wilson set career highs working with his wide receivers.
Two significant franchise records were set this year – Tyler Lockett with 100 catches and D.K. Metcalf with 1,303 receiving yards. It is an impressive achievement that the marks were set by two different players in the same season.
Metcalf took a huge step forward in year two. He increased every measurable receiving statistic dramatically. That was due not just to his skill but his hard work to expand his route tree and become a weapon of broader use in the offense. His career trajectory numbers-wise after only two seasons is tracking with the best to play the game.
Lockett sandwiched several everyday-effective performances with some outstanding games again in 2020. The games where he was the focal point of the offense were really a sight to see. His 15-catch, 200-yard, three-touchdown game in Arizona stands with the best performances of the season in the NFL.
David Moore set career highs for catches and touchdowns. His pylon-kicking body control touchdown catch against the Patriots defied the laws of science. He also had fantastic downfield catches against the Rams and Washington.
Freddie Swain established himself as an available option as a rookie and gave the Seahawks flexibility in the offense.
And yet… in light of the inconsistent manner of the offense and the disappointing end to the season, it is hard not to think of the catches, first downs and potential touchdowns the Seahawks left on the field this year.
– A brilliant D.K. Metcalf catch and run touchdown to seal the Cardinals game that was called back by an unnecessary blocking penalty
– The group had an awful 19 passes dropped this season
– D.K. Metcalf celebrating too early in the Dallas game on a deep completion, getting stripped and costing the Seahawks a touchdown
Also, the play calling and game planning suffered several inconsistencies that did not maximize the talent in the group:
– Stubbornly avoiding quick passes when facing formidable pass rush teams, resulting in Russell Wilson being sacked 47 times and throwing the ball away in several others
– At times trying too hard to feature David Moore and calling plays that do not suit his skill set, to the exclusion of Lockett and Metcalf or finding rhythm on offense
– Failing to get Metcalf targeted early in games. Just one example — the key division matchup against the Rams in Week 10. In a game in which they desperately needed playmaking, they waited until late in the third quarter to throw the ball to him
– Several third and short plays the Seahawks could not convert, preventing the offense more opportunities to throw to the wide receivers
Offseason Questions to Address
1. How will the wide receivers fit in the offense in 2021?
In Pete Carroll’s end of year press conference he called for running the ball more. That does not necessarily mean the team will not use prime assets like Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.
In fact, it is possible that a reinvestment in the offensive line and running back groups could open up possibilities for the wide receivers not experienced under Brian Schottenheimer in 2020.
A strong running game aided by an improved offensive line will keep drives alive more frequently, which gives the wide receivers more chances for targets.
It would also assure that teams can’t just stick to two deep safety looks all game. There will just be too many players to cover.
But really, the question for the wide receiver group is whether the new offensive coordinator scheme better in game planning as well as in-game adjustments? Can they put together a package of plays that utilizes the wide receivers’ skills and playmaking ability that does not always require a seven-step quarterback drop and three full seconds to develop?
How about adopting what other teams are doing? Running out an unusual package that gets defenses confused and then running five or six different plays out of that package to keep defenses guessing?
The Seahawks had a couple plays of this nature in 2020 but never returned to them. For instance, the Freddie Swain touchdown play against the Patriots. The Seahawks lined up Tyler Lockett in the running back spot and the Patriots were yelling out adjustments at the line. They then sent Lockett on a route and everybody was looking at him. That cleared out the middle for Swain to come across and then scoot down the sideline for his first career touchdown.
How about running that two or three times more during the season? Then throwing a wrinkle into that formation by throwing deep to Metcalf when everyone has bitten on Lockett or Swain?
We constantly heard last offseason that covering Lockett and Metcalf is going to be a huge chore for defenses and will open things up. Why then did the Seahawks struggle so much to find mismatches and open men at times? It never seemed that David Moore or Freddie Swain were able to feast on third or fourth string cornerbacks. The tight ends rarely found zone bubbles in coverage to sit down in, or wide open seams in the middle of the field.
There is no doubt some of that is on Russell Wilson not finding them. But still, an offensive coordinator’s job is to make things simple for his quarterback. We need to be honest. Nothing was simple for Russell Wilson in 2020.
This group is too talented not to give an offensive coordinator all kinds of options to work with in 2021.
2. How much higher can D.K. Metcalf climb?
Metcalf had a fantastic 2020. He graduated from an impressive rookie season to a Pro Bowl second season. He demonstrated improved route-running ability, he only recorded one more drop than 2019 despite an almost 30% increase in targets and reduced his fumbles from three to one.
He accomplished all this despite regularly being matched with the opponents’ top cornerbacks.
His impact and skill set are so blinding it is easy to overlook that he has several issues to work on if he wants to reach the top tier of NFL wide receivers.
Understanding how he can better use his huge frame and wingspan to his advantage in the passing game should be his number one assignment this offseason.
Metcalf at times plays like a small, quick wide receiver in that he utilizes his speed to beat his man. It is very easy to rely on that speed as his primary weapon. After all, he has had so much success with it.
But being able to body out defenders as well as better high pointing of the ball will send his impact on the game into the stratosphere.
Imagine Metcalf being able to box out defenders on quick slants and gaining an easy 7-12 yards anytime he wants. What kind of effect would that have on the defensive backfield? Those slants are good eating for safeties looking to deliver a smack. But do they really want to do that when the receiver is a 6’4” 230lb freight train coming at you? It has been tried.
Many times those players have been knocked to the ground with Metcalf standing over them on the field, looking at them like he had just swatted a fly. Now imagine after a handful of those, sending Metcalf on a slant and go route, streaking past them as they hesitate to consider whether they want to get whacked by him.
Consider what improved high pointing skill can accomplish. Being consistently matched up with a 5’11” cornerback and giving your quarterback the option to throw to you at any time, whether it is along the sideline or in the end zone, knowing Metcalf can jump out of the gym and go get the ball. That would open up all kinds of options in the playbook.
His mental focus needs some work. He had seven drops in 2019 and eight in 2020. No drops in 2021 would be ideal but a reasonable goal would be to cut those drops in half.
He also had several mental mistakes that cost the Seahawks at key times during the season:
– The Dallas game fumble
– A drive-killing procedural penalty against the Rams
– Failing to set a proper pick on a 4th down pass to Tyler Lockett in the Arizona game
– Failing to set the edge on the David Moore jet sweep play at the goal line in Philly
Metcalf needs better focus when called on to complete mundane plays.
Perhaps it is just a natural progression and he will improve? Maturing personally and the game slowing down for him in his third year will likely be beneficial. Yet they need to be addressed and cleaned up this offseason.
Just think on the possibility that Metcalf is able to improve on all these areas this offseason. Even just a little.
Defensive coordinators will not be able to stop him. He will be able to wreck their entire game plan by himself.
Consider what that does for Russell Wilson and his confidence.
Consider what options that opens up for the offensive coordinator.
Would you like a cherry on top? Metcalf will be on his rookie contract for the next two seasons. If he continues to improve his game, the Seahawks will be getting easily ten times the value of the contract they’re paying him.
But it is up to him to put in the work this offseason.
3. Will they look at extending Tyler Lockett?
It’s time.
They extended Lockett in 2018 with a year left on his original deal. He is in the last year of his contract and counts $15m against the cap in 2021. He has provided terrific value, snagging 239 passes for 28 touchdowns in the three seasons since he signed it. He is currently not in the top twenty wide receivers for contract value and that should be rectified.
He will be 29 when the 2021 season starts. He has plenty of good years left and he has proven to be incredibly durable for a player of his size.
Extending him now does more than just reward fine play. It keeps the pairing with D.K. Metcalf intact. It underlines the case to Russell Wilson that he has a really good thing going in Seattle.
If structured right, the Seahawks could gain some sorely needed 2021 salary cap room.
It demonstrates to D.K. Metcalf that this organization rewards outstanding play.
And speaking of Metcalf, a Lockett extension helps the Seahawks set up their roster and cap structure for when Metcalf’s rookie contract expires after 2022. Metcalf should be the clear top receiver on the team at that point and the Seahawks will have Tyler in the last year or two of his contract and it will give them options in deciding how to proceed in the draft this year and next, as well as flexibility when considering paying Metcalf a huge contract.
This makes too much sense for all parties involved for it to not happen.
4. What do they do behind Lockett and Metcalf in 2021?
There is not currently a proven third option behind their two starters at wide receiver.
David Moore is an unrestricted free agent. It will be fascinating to see what his market will be. The Seahawks tendered him at the $2.1m rate last year, kept him on the roster all summer and then on roster cut down day, negotiated his contract down to about half that and kept him on the roster.
His speed, ability to adjust and fight for deep balls and his record of clutch catches would seem to suggest a higher ceiling than he has shown in his Seahawks career. Unfortunately, he has developed a pattern where he typically follows a game with a breathtaking catch with two or three games with very little activity to speak of.
The Seahawks sought to expand his role in the offense with some plays at the line of scrimmage designed to open up looks for him. They did not really take advantage of his strengths and thus did not produce much.
Still, 35 catches for six touchdowns, a player that Russell has implicit trust in and some punt return duties on his plate are well worth $1million. If he finds himself without a large contract offer, he is a great fit in Seattle and needs to be considered.
At this point in his career though, it needs to be asked, is he a true third receiver? It would appear we have experienced the best he has to offer.
He appears to be a perfect fourth receiver. He is frequently used on special teams, he can take some snaps when the other receivers are hurt or need a breather and can catch the defense snoozing on him.
Could a new offensive coordinator get more out of him?
Freddie Swain had a nice rookie season but much about his future role is unknown at this point. It was a good sign that he got used in game action early in the season. Can he step into a bigger role in 2021? The coaching staff seemed very positive about him.
John Ursua was a roster stash throughout 2019 and then came in late in the season and had a couple key catches.
He then failed to beat Swain and Penny Hart to make the roster in 2020 and spent the year on the practice squad. He never once merited a game day activation spot. He has been styled as possible great fit at slot receiver for the Seahawks but just has not been able to get on the field.
Penny Hart was used on special teams and only had one catch in 2020.
Philip Dorsett and Josh Gordon were complete washouts, not seeing a snap of game action.
The rub therefore is, the Seahawks do not have a real third option on the roster right now. There are several free agents available but with their limited resources and the talent stacked ahead of them, the best option might be to try and add a couple inexpensive free agents and hope one of them pops.
It would appear that if the Seahawks fill some other needs before the draft, they would be free to take the best player available. If that is a wide receiver, he will definitely have a role available to him in 2021.
Rob’s Potential Draft Targets
It’s another strong looking receiver class. Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith will go off the board quickly. I expect Rondale Moore will rise when he’s had a pro-day and shown he’s one of the best athletes in America.
Assuming there are no lingering issues with Jaylen Waddle’s ankle injury, he will also be a high pick.
There are several players who could also go in the top-40 but have the potential to last to the Seahawks too. Elijah Moore is a dynamic, strong and sturdy receiver who plays beyond his size. Tutu Atwell is another diminutive pass-catcher but he’s explosive and quick with big-play potential.
The Seahawks seem to prioritise speed at the position and look for players running a 4.4 or faster. It’ll be interesting to see how the likes of Rashod Bateman, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tylan Wallace and Nico Collins run — but I suspect all might be 4.5 runners.
Kadarius Toney has talent and could be a mid-round pick. Again, speed will be key. He’s attending the Senior Bowl so might be one to watch. Seth Williams at Auburn lost his matchup with Jaycee Horn and slouched through the end of the season — but he’s better than he showed in his final few games. Terrance Marshall Jr also had a highly productive year in trying circumstances with LSU.
Sage Surratt wins a lot of contested catches but again — whether the Seahawks are interested will come down to how he runs.
For more on the draft please check out my interview with Vanderbilt’s Dayo Odeyingbo:
You can now support Seahawks Draft Blog via Patreon by clicking the tab below.
I have no wors how good this is. Thank you Cha for this.
Thanks for the kind words
Kwity Paye 3 cone.
https://twitter.com/PFF_AustinGayle/status/1352354564146683905?s=19
This team misses Doug Baldwin. He kept the entire team (including [especially] Wilson and Carroll) accountable. One thing I want to see DK improve upon is his leadership capabilities. He has a passion to be great… I hope he is able to sharpen that into the most productive use of his energies possible. We also miss DB89’s clutch or 3rd down skill set. Tyler Lockett, as good as he is, is a different type of player, more of a glider, someone who can easily disappear, etc. Baldwin just straight-up beat cornerbacks off the ball. It makes me wonder whether David Moore, Gordon, Dorsett, a Paul Richardson clone, etc., are truly the “type” that the Hawks should be targeting. Moreover, if Carroll is going to commit to a run-first identity, are WRs really the group you want to invest your cap space into? Tom Brady made a career out of no-name WRs, I’d love to see Russell do the same with some upstarts who have something to prove.
I have high hopes that Metcalf will improve, especially mentally. He has some growing up to do. Lockett should be extended to free the cap. DMoore I’m hesitant, again I would let him test free agency and then make a deal favoring the team. Swain outplayed his draft round, we should find ways to use him more. Maybe it would be an idea to use Colby at WR (I miss Kearse).
I think we’re overstating how useful Doug Baldwin was there.
And how ‘accountable’ did Wilson need to be in 2018 and 2019?
I’ll just say it – Doug was a really fine player but an extraordinarily petty person who became part of the problem. The funniest part is that it is so passive aggressive.
I think the only “intangible” that Pete Carroll’s teams had (that meant anything to its success) was the LOB’s intimidation. Other than that – I’m amazed how extraordinarily petty a lot of those guys were.
*I think RW is quite a tool, but Doug shouldn’t be such a d*ck about it. He was a UDFA who was given an amazing opportunity, capitalized on it, and just seems sour about it all. He could’ve gone somewhere else, but he didn’t.
Agreed
What are you referring to? I know Doug was yelling at the sidelines sometimes, but mostly with the coordinators, and not in his final 2 maybe 3 years. I couldn’t recall any issues between him and Russ and as far as I remember he was a model citizen late in his career. What part of the problem are you referring to? That the team blow up after the NE loss? That was more on the defense (Bennett, Sherm, ET) if I recall correctly. But I probably missed some Hawks drama along the way, so that’s why I’m asking 🙂
Are you serious?
Doug Baldwin was constantly undermining Wilson and he still is. Check out his tweet during the playoff game.
I respect Rob’s counter. And it is most certainly obvious that some sort of bad blood exists between the two. I’m probably just a fanboi. The stats certainly say otherwise, but my eye test tells me that Baldwin was more essential than either Lockett or Metcalf (love them both). I’m willing to admit there is some folk mythology there. But my impression is the Baldwin had an edge, was able to elevate his game, was clutch and delivered when it was needed most. I think that can be replicated without going all-in on skillset or budget-busting salaries.
It is really interesting to see that some fans have a polar opposite view of Baldwin.
In particular, Rob uses the word undermine which doesn’t square with my claim of accountability. I think that’s really revealing. I definitely don’t know what happened in the locker room. But if the central issue driving team dysfunction right now is competing power dynamics between Carroll vs Wilson… I wholeheartedly believe there needs to be power balancing players (or coaches) brought into the fold, that are unbeholden to either HC or QB. As much as I look forward to seeing Metcalf assume leadership roles, I assume he will always be a Wilson disciple. I am totes fine with quote-unquote “lunch pail guys,” but those figures derided as “underminers” brought an edge that the team currently lacks and created dynamics that Carroll and/or Wilson were unable to brush aside.
Thanks for the push-back Rob!
No problem — but I promise you, undermine is definitely the right word. Baldwin was a right arse to Wilson. And he still is being.
I was thinking about this over the afternoon. Maybe Wilson could benefit from someone being an arse. Carroll too.
I honestly wonder if anyone “tells the truth” on Mondays anymore.
One name that is interesting on the FA list, to me at least, is Corey Davis. Big bodied. Reclamation? or was his season good enough to lift him over the hump. Could be a good third down target.
The expectation in Tennessee is he will be well paid to stay put
Sorry to post this on a guest article, but the url on my favorites tab, and when I hit “home” in the upper left corner on this page, says “This domain name has expired”. Is that just me or what’s that about?
Great article, thanks.
A lot of people are saying this to me and I don’t know why
I don’t see this problem but the site is also an http, not an https, site. So certifications shouldn’t be an issue. Also, clear your cache (look it up for the browser you are using on google) and then type the full URL to the site (https://seahawksdraftblog.com) into your browser.
Good article cha. Well done! One missing item from your assessment though. DK’s chase down of Budda Baker was the play of the season for me & illustrates perfectly that there is more to WRs (or any other position, tbh) than just the normal measurables. Although that’s mostly what it is about, obviously, attitude & fighting spirit can take a team a long way.
🙂
Yeah. I didn’t forget it, I chose not to mention it.
It took a little thinking. While that play is undoubtedly one of the plays of the year and should rightly be hailed, I think it is an example of what I wrote here:
I just meant to format the first quote. Rats. Oh well.
– I agree that we miss Doug Baldwin, a crafty slot wr that always played big (literally and figuratively) that definitely had the clutch gene.
– As much as I love Lockett, I am not sure he is a priority to resign given the influx of veteran WRs incoming to the FA market. The ankle injury seems to have sapped him of his physicality, a player of his profile and salary would still be returning punts/kicks if he still had that same athletic ability. Antonio Brown returned kicks throughout his prime in Pittsburgh.
– Given our lack of draft capital, I believe the hawks will tap into the FA pool this off-season or ’22.
– I don’t believe the hawks have any intention of having TWO WRs with high cap charges. While money will be able to be spread with DK’s extension given he is on a rookie deal, but Lockett’s next deal will be too costly cap-wise.
– My hope: with the assumption that the next OC won’t be a culture shift, i’d hope that PCJS abandons pouring money into the TE and look for a block-first TE(s) in the mold of a zach miller or healthy ed dickson.
– FA hope: JuJu Smith-schuster. Playing as a big slot that can go outside and play big when DK gets shadowed. I know he won’t be cheap, but a front loaded deal’s cap strain would be offset by DK’s low cap hits in the beginning of his extension. A steady veteran, philip dorsett, along with a sophomore Freddie Swain would be my vision of a rebuild on the fly.
– Pete doesn’t have a history of featuring rookie wr’s early and often, so why invest in that positon in the ’21 draft when the run game is what is being re-emphasized.
Two receivers I would love to target in the draft would be Dazz Newsome from UNC and D’Wayne Eskridge from W Michigan. They would fit well as a third option as well as someone who can FINALLY run some fly sweeps for us.
Really smart article. Couldn’t agree more w the entire first section especially. Scheme, playcalling, all feels like it could be so beneficial to this group.
Question – anyone have any concerns re Lockett? Again, it’s always tough to tell who is/isn’t getting open without an all-22 angle, but his production was really pretty bad from week 7 through week 15, never getting more than 67 yards receiving in a game, and only 1 receiving TD over that 9 game span. I’m cherry picking a little, b/c he had a monster game in week 6, and bounced back w a 14/90/2 game in week 16 (though maybe there was effort to get him the record). His yards per catch have gone down too, from a high of 16.9 in ’18, to 10.5 ypc this year.
He’s clearly still got great technical skills, great hands, incredibly skilled at getting two feet in bounds. But is he still getting separation? Maybe it’s just all part of the general pass game malaise in the 2nd half of the season, and I’m overthinking it.
I have more concerns about Russ. Lockett is open a lot more than he finds him. Russ has a tendency to lock on some receiver and only feature him in a game. That’s why Lockett or DK get lost in some games.
Tbh Lockett is like 3 times the receiver than DK. But DK has crazy physical skills so higher ceilings.
So I’d put the why Lockett disappears more on Russ/Schotty
As for the YPC, that might be also on Schotty and DK. I think they send DK deep more as he’s faster especially in deep routes, but we need a dependable WR who can handle shorter-middle throws (5-15 yards).
If Lockett walks, I think Belichik might pick him up and makes him a superstar
You’ve probably heard it 100 times already, but these are very well written articles. Keep em’ coming!
Many thanks. And yup, plenty more in the pipeline.
Good stuff cha.
I’m curious what everyone thinks about DK’s apparent tantrum in the WC game that imo was part of what lead to the pick 6 and effectively ended the game. Diva WRs piss me the hell off and I’ll chalk it up to growing pains at this point. However, I am not interested in seeing more of this type of behavior. What say you all?
I don’t see that diva attribute in DK. I also don’t know what kind of conversations he has with Russ throughout the week and how Russ TRULY feels about how the second half of the season went. I saw it mainly as frustration that the offense was having a hard time establishing themselves.
Just my gut feeling. DK is ok.
DK is either going to be the best thing happened to the Hawks almost ever, or he’s going to be the part of the problem that destroys this franchise. He could have the talent and work ethic to become a top3 ALL TIME receiver easily.
BUT the talks that he and Russ wants to be the best ever together, the media/fans pushing the Hawks to feature DK more (it’s like a let DK cook movement), the premature celebration costing TD, the tantrum on the sideline. This year he behaved sometimes like a diva. He was much worse in that regard than his first year. And you can say he’s a young guy…but for example Lockett didn’t have issues like this.
And the pick6 wasn’t DK’s fault (completely), Russ telegraphed that play, and Schotty/Pete shouldn’t force the ball to him just because he throws a tantrum. But without his behaviour I’m not sure they would’ve force the ball and that throw to him.
So yeah, it’s cool, he had a great year, but I have concerns…he should have a really level headed, professional from top to bottom mentor to help him become a pro in his game and outside of it too
I’m being a little tongue-in-cheek, but I honestly want to see more of it. He has a fire and seemed to be wanting to be given a chance to beat his guy instead of running away from him, but Russ and the offense weren’t giving it to him.
I want to see more of it to act as a check on Russ when he’s sucking. And frankly, because he was right. Our gameplan was rubbish and he knew it. I don’t want hear how there’s a right way to be handling those things when the issues are immediate and irreversible. DK was right and I think we have a fair chance of winning that game if we had played it straight instead of trying to get cute. Just my opinion. I don’t think it’s a long-term issue.
I was deeply unimpressed. A bit like I amwith the drops – not horrendous numbers of them, but the ones he has seem to be especially straight forward looking catches. Considering that his Dad was basically training him solely for the purpose of being an NFL player since the age of ten, I don’t see youth as a valid excuse either.
Re-posting from the 18th now that we’re talking WRs:
WOW! This guy plays in fast forward compared to everyone else on the field. Just look at the burst when he plants his foot and turns up field. Sudden, crisp routes, catches with hands away from body, a couple nice high points. Looks like exactly what we were talking about looking for in a #3, with potential to maybe become even more down the road.
D’Wayne “Dee” Eskridge | 2020 Highlights
https://youtu.be/T4hxASGk6RA
That shake and acceleration at 8:18. Whew!
5’9, 190, so good size for the slot. Averaged over 20yds/catch each of the past 3 seasons. Also played CB in 2019, broke his collarbone after 4 games. This year as a 5th-year senior had 768yds/8TD in 6 games. At that pace for a full 12-game season… That’s the level of domination you want to see at a lower level of competition.
Ran a 4.33 laser in 2018 according to Draft Diamonds. (but I wouldn’t really doubt his speed anyways after seeing those highlights)
One to add to the list and look at more closely for sure.
That’s the first time I’ve watched him.
Am I missing something? What’s the catch? Because Tony’s got him graded him in round six?
Apparently he moved to corner last year, which is a bit odd.
Yes, quite odd. Guess they… needed a corner. 🤷♂️ Glad he moved back to where he belongs this (shortened) season at least, and the aggressive nature in him to play on the defensive side is a nice plus.
https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2019/07/wmu-cornerback-dee-eskridge-to-play-10-15-snaps-per-game-on-offense-in-2019.html
He will be 24 by draft day, so certainly that’s not in his favor.
Idk, my guess is he will be a riser after showing well in 1v1s at the Sr. Bowl and go early day 3 due to his age and a good WR class.
Hands
Must be his hands, because WRs who can’t catch become CBs or FS/SS
LOL
He looks a lot bigger and more sturdy than his measurables would suggest, which is great for a player who plays fast. Supposedly he’s a fast riser, senior bowl will be big for him.
RIP Ted Thompson, help build a superbowl roster with Holmgren.
If a team called wanting Metcalf, and offered a really good guard or right tackle, and a draft pick. Would you move him?
No
What about extending him though?
He’s going to expect top money, and I get the feeling, knowing our front offices history, that they won’t want to pay it.
I actually think they will pay him.
Metcalf is an incredibly rare player. He still has a lot of improving to do — but ultimately they struck gold with that pick.
Assuming DK’s goals anywhere near similar to Russell Wilson’s then you may as well seriously consider DK in the same situation. Is he going to be happy winning 17-14 in a conservative run oriented offense that throws 25 times a game?
Here’s the difference between DK Metcalf and Russell Wilson…
Career earnings:
Russell Wilson — $162,362,520
DK Metcalf — $2,553,765
If the Seahawks are paying, Metcalf is staying.
Money will be no object for generations of Wilson’s family. He has different priorities now — to max out what he wants from his career. So the two situations are not that similar.
Absolutely amazing to see those two numbers! Not a bad amount of earnings for a 10 year career!
Despite his flaws, DK will get his in time!
My question for the community: How important is a good WR3 for this team?
I’m asking because over the season I’ve read fans urging more targets to TEs and DK. And also fewer attempts to get Moore the ball (so maybe reduce from 35 to 20?). I am not knowledgeable enough to have a firm opinion about where all the targets should be going (although I can see some of those short targets to Moore are very uninspiring)..so is it really best to pass more to DK and the TEs? If yes, then that does not seem to leave many targets for a WR3, especially if Pete wants more running.
We now have a team with two very good WRs, and a bunch of holes at other position groups. Plus Pete wanting to run more, which probably means needing to beef up OL and probably RB. Doesn’t that make an upgrade at WR3 a luxury we cannot afford?
WR depth is kind of like DL depth, you can never have too much. Even if we’re running more we’d need to have another receiver, especially someone who can run plays like jet sweeps.
Isn’t that also true of OL depth, DB depth, and RB depth?
No it’s more than that because DL and WR has the most rotation out of any position. Having depth is one thing for the OL and DB for backups but having depth for rotations in DL and WR is much more than injury fill-in.
I think I erred on the Moore number…he had 35 receptions, not 35 targets.
I think in the modern NFL, you need as many weapons as you can get. You need to be able to challenge opponents in a multitude of ways.
If you were to ask me whether I think a WR3 should be the top priority this off-season, I would say no. Is it something I think they should try to acquire during the off-season? Yes.
That’s harder of course because two picks have already been spent on a blitzing safety.
Is upgrading at WR3 more or less important than upgrading at TE?
Either is fine.
And two picks on a broken pass rusher.
God every time I think about all this I get frustrated again.
So much waste.
It doesn’t have to be this hard.
The San Francisco 49ers are getting three comp picks for Robert Salah and Martin Mayhew being appointed to new jobs.
Three third round picks.
I don’t understand this new policy. Why are teams being rewarded for their employees of a particular race or ethnicity being given promotions by OTHER teams???
Because they “developed” them.
I know, the whole thing makes no sense at all:
https://seahawksdraftblog.com/monday-notes-difficult-topics-after-seattles-buffalo-beat-down#comment-537469
Typical of the NFL. The Rooney Rule was a farce and this just adds another level to it, Teams and owners want to win and will hire the person they believe is the best candidate regardless of race 99% if not 100% of the time IMO.
Because we have to pretend it’s the year 1858.
And I also love this debate that “well X person was a great Corner, so why aren’t they a GM?”
Oh I don’t know…entirely different skill sets. I was a good baseball player…doesn’t mean I’m automatically qualified to run a baseball franchise.
I find it frustrating because I have yet to meet a fan who simply doesn’t want the best possible person, at every level of the organization and on the team, who couldn’t care less about immutable characteristics. It’s becoming quite grating and infantilizing, IMO.
KNJ for HC.. come on Pete make him here or else where
*Looks at Seahawks OC Whiteboard*
*Crosses Darrell Bevell off list*
Watch this and tell me this isn’t the complete opposite of what Pete Carroll is doing:
https://twitter.com/Chargers/status/1352392143826915330
It isn’t the complete opposite of what Pete Carroll is doing.
Just kidding.
It’s the complete opposite of what Pete Carroll is doing.
It would be really funny (or sad) to have Pete watch that clip and hear his inner monologue. He’s probably thinking “wow this guy has no clue, how are you going to have an identity or culture when you are just Willy nilly designing things week to week around your QB?” Meanwhile belicheck watching this going, ya duh play to the strengths of your players and don’t force something which ultimately won’t help them.
Great stuff, cha! It’s clear you’ve researched, thought it out, and care about what you’re doing. That’s passion and that leads to great stuff.
Kudos to Rob for being willing to publish this stuff and cha for the amazing content to the already best Seahawks website out there.
Thanks, that means a lot. And yes Rob does deserve a thank you for providing the platform.
Agree. Nice that this isn’t an ego stroke thing Rob. You’re both a great read.
Over the cap updated their system today.
The Seahawks have $142,229 in effective cap space for 2021 if the cap is $176m.
They basically went all in for 2020. And now they are left with no money and hardly any picks (the way to acquire cheap talent).
Guess they only cared about going all in to save their jobs. Get nice contracts for doing well at the expense of pillaging the future. Nothing to see here.
Seems to be the same for alot of teams. More and more teams in the red.
How is it less than it was before? Was someone’s salary wrong for 2021?
They have to restructure/extend a lot of players. At least they don’t have many big cap obligations for future years
Incentives reached / escalated contracts.
And they added 12,13 players to the roster with 660-850k cap hits. Thats around 10mil.
Looking at there biggest contracts for possible cap relief and maybe trade compensation for draft picks: (rounding to nearest million)
Wilson 32,000,000
Wagner 17,000,000
Lockett 15,000,000
Brown 13,000,000
Dunlap 14,000,000
Adams 10,000,000
Reed 14,000,000
If I look at replaceable players to cut/or trade I would say Wagner has a potential replacement with brooks. Dunlap should be on the team but probably at a lower number. Most of the other players are too valuable to move on from.
I heard some ex front office guy on the radio yesterday say if jarran reed got traded he would be worth a 2nd round pick, I think this is crazy but if someone made an offer like that I would 100% do it. Maybe there is a like bill O’Brien GM around.
The salaries you listed total $115M. Either some changes happen or our roster ends up with a few stars, players in their first 3 years, and a bunch of guys named Joe.
There is zero chance you get a R2 for Jarran Reed.
I am looking forward to watching JS play moneyball this offseason. Moves have to be coming to create more space under the cap. All the speculation about extensions and retaining key FA’s amounts to nothing if there is no money.
But, but………..Jamal Adams got the record for sacks by a DB!!! Woo hoo!!!
That’s literally how the discourse goes!
I’m bewildered about how easily the local media can suggest parting ways with RW, and yet the idea of trading Adams is met with tut-tutting. How and when did he become a more sacred of a cow than Russell freaking Wilson?
Good article, Cha. Totally agree about Tyler. He needs to stay.
Officially we are in cap hell. OTC listed us for 2.7mil cap space if SC is 176mil. Looks like its not even that much because Dickson cap hit will be around 3mil (something about being pro bowler). That basicaly means we have zero money, and thats without PS, IR and Draft. So in true cap space we are 10mil over the cap. Awfull situation.
I’ve seen worse… *looks at Saints 110M in the hole*
17th in the league. Right in the middle of the league.
So more like cap purgatory then?
I know this sounds crazy, and I’d hate the move, but is there a reasonable case to be made to cut/trade Wagner?
Seems unlikely given that he’s a 1st all-pro and was our highest graded player. I can’t imagine the defense without him, but his cap hit is an ouch.
Where we could save some money?
1. Bwagz – 10mil if traded and i guess 5mil if restructure… So let it be 5mil
2. Locket – 13mil if traded and 5mil if restructured – they wont trade him so 5mil
3. Adams – 10mil if traded… Dont see they can go much lower than 10mil in first year if he signs new contract this off season… So no sa ing with Adams
4. Dunlap – 14mil if cut (trade) guess aroun 5nil if sign new contract… Hope it will be that 5mil
5. Reed – 9mil if traded and 5mil if restructured. The more i look at our cap and pick situation the more i think they will trade Reed…
6. Diggs – 6mil if traded or cut… Dont see it happening…zero savings(even with signing new contract)
7 Brown – 11mil if cut and let it be 3mil if restructured
So without trading or cutting anyone, if they rastructure all of these contracts, they can create around 23mil…(this is without touching Russell contract)
That will be enough for 13mil for new signing… 3mil for Poona and thats 10 left… No starting LCB, C…Let it be 5mil for Pocic and Dunbar… And its 5mil on cap space.. And we didnt even start to talk about KJ, Carson, Shaquill, Mayowa etc..
I’m gonna assume you’re talking about Jarran, b/c there is no way we are trading D.J
We don’t know how much they can create by restructuring or extending contracts.
We dont we can only guess (estimate)… These are my guesses… Not sure how correct i am… And for all players i meant new contracts with add few more years and trying to lower cap hit in 2021..
For example i saw that Chris Cluff thinks that Adams new contract could save some money. I really dont see how 16-18mil 4 years contract (imo it will be in that range) with 30mil guaranteed can have 2021 cap hit lower than 10mil…but its more than possible i am wrong…
No I think you are right. People are mixing up the likelihood that Adams’ cap hit stays where it is in 2021 vs increasing if/when he gets a new deal.
But I don’t think there’s much point trying to project they can raise a certain amount when the fact is none of us have any idea. Predicting restructures or renewals is just too difficult to do.
Let’s just acknowledge that they have a lot of work to do — which is a fact. And that they are not in a good position… where essentially they are facing the prospect of difficult decisions, screwing themselves down the line by using the credit card or needing to create holes on the roster.
Last year they had money to spend and picks to use. This year they have neither.
I think we can generate more money than that through extensions, remember what the cap hit was on Frank Clark’s deal in the first year? And they have barely any cap commitments for 2022 so theres plenty of wiggle room.
And I also never understand why people are so concerned about PS and IR at this stage because of the top 51 rule, theres plenty of time for them to make up that space after the draft. Plus we dont have any picks, so that’s hardly gonna cost us 10m.
The Seahawks and Chargers want to talk to Joe Lombardi about their OC openings.
Pro’s — worked for a long time with Sean Payton and knows the NO offense.
Con’s — had a really, really rough two seasons as the Lions OC and was fired. Couldn’t run the ball and protection was a disaster.
Reasons he’d pick LA — Lombardi was Brandon Staley’s OC at Mercyhurst when Staley played QB there in 2005. Plus, Justin Herbert
Reasons he’d pick Seattle — he was born in… Seattle. Possibly grew up a Hawks fan.
I remember Lombardi was one of the more interesting names tossed around last time, and yet still hasn’t been given another job elsewhere.
I do love the Saints offensive system and it worked extremely well for Ed Orgeron to adopt that style at LSU. So maybe Pete could be given the encouragement to go out of his comfort zone from an old pal?
That is a name I didn’t expect to hear. It has been quite a while since he was at the Lions. The Saints offense has even evolved a bit since he came back there, like how they use Kamara and Hill. Plus he worked with the QBs which can only be a plus for Russ. He deserves another chance by now. Seattle does have a lot to offer.
Why do I get the feeling that even if they actually try to get some of these rumored guys in as OC, none will want to be Pete’s bobo and we’ll end up with a Canales anyway?
That widespread twitter cry over Beniemy” not gettig a chance” due to the some unfortunate events that happened some 20 years ago is really something.
But of course the same people are loughing over Lions HC introductory press.
They should be laughing about the Lions’ new HC presser. Pathetic. Lions gonna Lions tho I suppose.
I would not call that pathetic, I actually kind of liked that. But that’s not gonna work with players living in a TikTok era.
To each their own of course but I found “bite their kneecaps” pretty lame.
I liked it too. The Lions need to get some energy into the building and it looks like this may be their chance.
I think the reaction to Dan Campbell’s press conference is overblown.
I even saw someone post a really cliched, boring quote from Robert Salah as a comparison of ‘how it should be done’.
Some of the best coaches I’ve been around were a little old school. Made life interesting.
This idea that players tut and roll their eyes at stuff like that is just pretentious — especially the guys from the SEC. I’m telling you now — if you’re in a meeting room 12 weeks into the season. You are tired. You’re hurting. And the coach comes in and tries to fire you up — it’s not ridiculous. Certainly I can see that being more beneficial than a long, boring, softly spoken piece of football rhetoric about all being in it together.
All coaches are different. We shouldn’t want them all to look and sound the same.
Haven’t seen the presser, but this one definitely gets an eye roll from me: 🙄
https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1352320446784528384
Think that was an overly eager photoshop from the media team…
Correct, but still…
https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1352370163518214147
I know this is a Seahawks place but I gotta say this:
RIP Hank Aaron. One of the greats of any sport in my lifetime
He was a great one.
Sorry, I fell behind on the OC carousel. Were these moves expected or are there now two more openings to compete with ours? Who still needs OC’s?
Colts – not a big deal. I’m pretty sure Reich was calling plays anyways, so they’ll probably promote someone to OC and that’s that.
Vikings – maybe. But again, I expect they want some sort of continuity because they’ve been ransacked by OC turnover and they had a good offense last year, so they’ll most likely promote from inside. Kubiak’s son is actually the QBs coach, so throw in some NFL nepotism and the reasons I mentioned above and he’ll probably be the OC.
Not a criticism of you Rohan, but when did Frank Reich get into the Bill Belichick reverence level? He is the Bellichick to Parcells in that he gets all the credit for Doug Pederson. And gets the “it doesn’t matter who the coordinator is” excuse too just like Bill. I like him a lot as coach but people are a little to overzealous on him IMO.
Frank Reich is an alien
I have never seen this haha