Seattle Seahawks rookie grades for 2019: D.K. Metcalf earns top marks

The Seattle Seahawks went 11-5 during the regular season, but they did not receive much help from their 2019 rookie class.

Less than a year ago, the Seattle Seahawks took 11 players in the 2019 NFL Draft, hoping to continue incorporating new talent into their developing team. The rookie class produced mixed results. While some of Seattle’s selections from the top three rounds look like future starters, other rookies didn’t even see the field much.

This article breaks down each rookie’s successes and failures in 2019, as well as how they can contribute to the team moving forward. Rookies appear under the subheading of the round Seattle drafted them in, and a rookie grade accompanies each player. The final slide, which reviews this past season and previews 2020, also contains an overall grade for the draft class.

Now, let’s reflect on Seattle’s 2019 draft class and give out a grade to each of the 11 selections.

Round 1

L.J. Collier: D-

For the second year in a row, Seattle’s first-round pick left me scratching my head. Drafting a defensive end wasn’t surprising, considering Ezekiel Ansah and Quinton Jefferson are pending free agents. Even Jadeveon Clowney, who Seattle traded for after the draft, could leave this offseason. What’s surprising about the L.J. Collier selection is Seattle’s reluctance to play him.

On paper, Collier fits what Seattle wants to do defensively, and on a team that just traded Frank Clark and starts many pending free agent defensive linemen, you’d expect the 29th overall pick in the draft would see some playing time. However, that wasn’t the case at all.

In 11 regular season appearances with the Seahawks, Collier played 152 defensive snaps and finished the year with three tackles. For reference, Ansah also played in 11 regular season games. Despite dealing with injuries and only making one start, he played 338 defensive snaps.

The washed-up, injury-stricken veteran played nearly double the number of snaps that Collier did. He more than doubled the rookie’s production too, putting up 18 tackles, two forced fumbles, eight quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks.

With so many of Seattle’s pass rushers heading toward free agency, Collier could still become a starter in 2020. The question is, should he? Rasheem Green, who led Seattle with four sacks in 2019, will return in 2020. If the Seahawks can bring Clowney back to work opposite of Green, then Collier should ride the bench.