Seattle Seahawks rookie grades for 2019: D.K. Metcalf earns top marks
By Samuel Teets
Round 6
Travis Homer: C-
The Miami product started two seasons with the Hurricanes and failed to rush for 1,000 yards in either year. However, he showed enough playmaking ability to get drafted. Travis Homer entered a crowded backfield that already featured a 1,000-yard rusher, a first-round draft pick, and several struggling veterans. He survived roster cuts but did not register his first carry until Week 13. In the meantime, he contributed on special teams.
Late in the season, Seattle suffered heavy losses at the running back position. Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and C.J. Prosise all landed on IR, which forced Homer into starting for Seattle in Week 17 and during the Wild Card Round. After a rough outing against the Eagles, Marshawn Lynch started in place of the rookie during the Divisional Round.
Homer finished the regular season with 18 carries for 114 yards and 11 receptions for 56 yards. Those are hardly outstanding numbers, but Homer stepped up when Seattle turned to him. He should play a more significant role as the team’s third-string running back in 2020.
Demarcus Christmas: TBD
The Seahawks placed Christmas on the PUP list in mid-July, and he never returned during the season. Christmas should see his first playing time in 2020, especially since Jarran Reed and several of Seattle’s other defensive linemen could leave in free agency.
Round 7
John Ursua: D-
With the Seahawks dramatically altering their receiving depth chart, it looked like John Ursua could play a role on the team in 2019. However, despite injuries to the receiving corps throughout the season, Ursua only appeared in three regular-season games.
The Hawaii product played 11 regular season offensive snaps and caught his only target for 11 yards. Considering that the Seahawks traded into the draft so they could take Ursua, fans expected more from the former Mountain West Conference standout.
Ursua could step into Jaron Brown‘s role in 2020. Seattle used Brown sparingly in 2019, but the veteran free agent did produce 220 receiving yards.