Seattle Seahawks: Grading every 2019 NFL Draft pick

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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 64: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Injuries will be a significant concern with Metcalf when he enters the NFL, which could be troubling considering injuries are what might force Doug Baldwin to retire. However, when he’s healthy, Metcalf is an athletic freak of nature the likes of which Russell Wilson has never had at the position before. At 6-3, 228 pounds, the Ole Miss product is the size of a small linebacker and will hopefully provide a big down-the-field target.

In his final season at Ole Miss, Metcalf averaged 21.9 yards per reception and scored once roughly every five catches. He’s obviously Seattle’s new redzone target and will fill a role different from the one Baldwin does. Still, given Baldwin’s potential retirement, Seattle needed to stock up as many pass catchers as possible.

The team experimented with Brandon Marshall as a jump ball receiver last season and that needed poorly, but now they’ve got a young player ready to make a big impact and fill some open production in the passing game.

I did have Metcalf marked as one of five prospects that the Seahawks should avoid in the draft, but I was assuming he would go in the first round. At 64, Metcalf is potentially a steal if he can capitalize on all of his physical promise.

Pick Grade: A-

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