Seattle Seahawks: DK Metcalf on track for huge role, rookie success
DK Metcalf fell into the Seattle Seahawks lap at the end of the second round in the 2019 draft and the wide receiver is on track to be a big factor early.
Throughout the 2019 NFL Draft process, few prospects were as polarizing as wide receiver DK Metcalf as he came out of Ole Miss. Despite issues with injury and pedestrian production in college, Metcalf’s physical prowess caused many to fall in love with him. However, that didn’t stop a draft day fall as he dropped to the end of the second round, which is where the Seattle Seahawks were glad to take him.
Just looking at the Seahawks roster, particularly after injuries forced Doug Baldwin into retirement, it seemed as if Metcalf would always have a role to play in the wide receiver corps. With the way things have played out this offseason and at the start of training camp, though, he may play an even bigger role than initially anticipated.
Throughout the offseason, there have been reports of quarterback Russell Wilson — fresh off signing his mega-extension — has been taking an interest in working with the rookie physical phenom. That has only become more apparent and blatant in training camp.
As reported by Gregg Bell of The News Tribune, Wilson has been making sure that every rep that Metcalf takes in receiving drills is thrown by him. He’s gone as far as timing his turns in the rotation with the quarterback group so that he and the young wide receiver are paired up.
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This is 100 percent intentional, not just happenstance or coincidence. Put simply, Wilson is trying to get Metcalf up to speed and build a rapport with his new weapon as quickly as possible. And the only reason that would be this necessary is if Metcalf is primed for a big role in the Seattle offense starting in Week 1.
Looking at the Seahawks depth chart, it’s clear to see where Metcalf fits in. Tyler Lockett is the only obvious starter of the group that also features Jaron Brown and David Moore. Outside of that, though, this looks to be an open competition. And no one on the roster can submit a physical résumé to slot naturally into the X-receiver role quite like DK Metcalf can.
The 6-4, 228-pound marvel has the size and speed to be an elite vertical threat, open at all times because of that combination, something head coach Pete Carroll has noticed.
His biggest concern is the lack of a full route tree and lateral quickness. However, what he does well is beat his matchups with speed and physicality down the field and in jump-ball situations, which is the type of play Wilson and the Seahawks passing attack thrive with. The rookie fits seamlessly into that role from a physical standpoint.
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When you combine that with the focus that Wilson is putting into working with the youngster, all the pieces are adding up to Metcalf immediately being a big factor in the Seattle aerail assault. If he can continue to grow early on with his quarterback, we could see if the other 32 NFL teams really did make a mistake letting him fall for 63 picks before the Seahawks grabbed him.