The Seattle Seahawks have closed the ebook on a exceptional season. After getting dragged by way of the mud for practically six months, they made the playoffs, turned a 10-year backup right into a viable starter, and boasted one of the best draft class of 2022.
A number of teammates stood out above the remainder, as probably the most unexpectedly superior contributors. Whether or not due to earlier resumés, new positions, or guys whose names we didn’t even know, these are the tales that make you smile.
The ten greatest surprises on the 2022 Seahawks (constructive)
Geno Smith
It’s the obvious selection of the century to start out issues off. His total win/loss file after this season nonetheless gained’t transfer the needle, however he did one thing that terribly few professional athletes have ever finished.
However Smith had an extended profession as a backup than the NFL common profession, earlier than delivering a handful of elite stats in a full, aggressive season. His completion proportion was 9 factors larger than profession common. He threw nearly half of his profession touchdowns this season. His interception proportion plummeted from 4.2 with the Jets to 1.7 this yr.
Quarterback was the first motive cited by many across the league that Seattle could be a bottom-five staff. As an alternative, the phrases “Geno Smith” and “MVP” have been mentioned unironically for a month and a half.
Tariq Woolen
It’s been 10 years since John Schneider did the factor that made him well-known; unleashing a 4th/fifth rounder Professional Bowl ferocious monster.
Woolen began this observe from nearly day one, and the development has been as constant as any new participant I can bear in mind. First it was pace, then it was a capability to study. Then abruptly he’s hanging with DK Metcalf in coaching camp. Then he’s making performs in mock video games, and by no means gave Coby Bryant or Tre Brown an opportunity to take his spot.
Then they examined him and he gained, then they tried trickery and he nonetheless gained.
Now he’s both first or second for defensive rookie of the yr, and he gained’t be talked about as only a good rookie subsequent season; he’ll be positioned among the many greatest defensive backs within the NFL.
Uchenna Nwosu
Nwosu will finish the season a bit banged up, however for a lot of it he dominated. If it hadn’t been tough going to complete the yr, he most likely would have reached 10 sacks.
Nwosu hit career-high marks in QB hits, sort out for loss, whole tackles, sacks, fumble recoveries, and compelled fumbles.
Schneider has not usually hit at this place and this was an unbelievable discover, with Nwosu coming again subsequent season as properly.
Abe Lucas
When the Seahawks properly and essentially took an offensive sort out within the top-10 of the draft, few folks anticipated the second sort out they drafted to be the extra spectacular rookie.
Lucas has balled out all season, coming in as a third-rounder and enjoying each snap of the season till an damage in Week 16.
He’s confronted most of the greatest go rushers the NFL has to supply, and gained extra usually than any Seattle rookie lineman would ever hope anybody would possibly dream.
Shane Waldron
2021 left loads to be desired with Waldron’s new offense. In brief, it felt an excessive amount of like all the opposite years, and now we all know with certainty the vast majority of that had little to do with the play caller.
Geno Smith discovered instant success within the intermediate sport, within the deep sport, with tight ends, and each beginning operating backs put forth some huge dashing video games.
It’s a reduction that this rent not solely wasn’t a catastrophe, but in addition wasn’t inextricably tied to Russell Wilson’s skillset. I feel Waldron has a powerful potential to make issues occur and a promising future at coordinator because the expertise pool continues to develop.
Kenneth Walker III
For me, the massive shock right here is that Walker formed out to have much more of Rashaad Penny’s extremes than Rashaad Penny. In brief, he at instances appears to be like like he’ll rating or value you the drive.
In Week 12 alone, Walker had six carries that ranged from a one-yard acquire all the best way right down to a 13-yard loss.
Then again, he hits explosive performs at a good larger charge than Penny has managed to this point. As a rookie, he leads the NFL with three runs of fifty yards over anticipated. That accomplishment is the results of each his top-end pace (1mph quicker than Penny) and elusive tackle-breaking (higher than Penny, by six makes an attempt per damaged sort out).
It makes the offseason resolution with Penny harder, in the easiest way attainable.
Ryan Neal
That is two seasons now through which Neal has been a shock integral piece of the protection. This yr, his contribution was so stable that he ended up with 14 All-Professional votes and is an important piece of the secondary with two different safeties who’ve suffered important accidents in consecutive seasons.
Al Woods
I don’t know what to say right here besides Woods is 35 and for like half the season was the one man on the sphere able to tackling the operating again. He simply set a profession excessive in solo tackles, and missed three video games so you possibly can’t blame the prolonged season.
Tyler Lockett
The one shock with Lockett is that he continues to do what he’s finished by no means will get the popularity he deserves. Lockett now has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in his 27, 28, 29, and 30-year-old season. This comes after a number of important accidents he’s sustained, all of the whereas barely lacking any time.
There is likely to be a handful of higher steals than Lockett on the contracts he’s signed in Seattle franchise historical past. Alongside each DK Metcalf and Doug Baldwin, he’s turned in scores of explosive performs and Third-down conversions and is among the many most dependable receivers within the NFL.
Marquise Goodwin
Equally, Goodwin got here on as a considerably ignored go catcher however turned in a powerful season. He nonetheless completed the yr with 9.2 yards per goal, an excellent man to have as a considerably deep menace. Seattle is Goodwin’s fourth staff, and who is aware of what he needs to do subsequent but it surely was a pleasing shock in a yr when Dee Eskridge did completely nothing.
Honorable point out: Godwin Igwebuike
What a revelation. A kick returner! Igwebuike ended the yr by getting elevated from the apply squad in three consecutive weeks.
It’s enjoyable to truly return a kicked ball for a change, and Igwebuike has a knack for this.
A season with subsequent to no expectations become yet one more phenomenally tense one, and guarantees yet one more pivotal draft in a few months.
Subsequent up: the highest surprises going the opposite route, sadly. Disappointments popping out quickly.
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