Seahawks just need DK Metcalf to be himself, not a savior

The Seahawks signed one of the all-time maximum potential guys in DK Metcalf. If we focus on what he can do, instead of what he can’t, we’ll be happy.

The Seahawks made a splash when they landed NFL Combine star DK Metcalf in the second round. After he flashed both a superhero’s performance and physique, it looked like Seattle had absolutely no chance of landing the Ole Miss speedster. Speedster? Beast? Maybe he’s something entirely new. A speedbeast, perhaps.

Before we dive into this, here are a few fun facts you probably know about Metcalf, but in case you don’t, here goes. DK stands for his first name DeKaylin, which is why he specifies it’s DK, not D.K. His grandfather is former Cardinals running back/wideout/returner Terry Metcalf. His uncle is another former offensive jack-of-all-trades, Eric Metcalf. The two combined for 27,231 total yards and 91 touchdowns. Terry even threw for two scores. Talent clearly runs – makes that gallops – in the family.

Whatever DK is, he was massively hyped after running a 4.33 40 at the Combine. Just check his draft profile from nfl.com. Note the 27 bench press reps of 225 pounds. That fits right between second overall pick defensive end Nick Bosa’s 29 and fourth overall pick defensive end Clelin Ferrell’s 25. Metcalf has both speed and strength. He also had a 40.5-inch vertical leap and a broad jump of 134 inches. So why did he fall to the Seahawks at the 64th pick overall?

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks got a bargain in Metcalf

There are a few reasons for his fall. First, he isn’t the most agile player. His shuttle and three-cone drill times are better fits with offensive linemen than wide receivers. He missed parts of two seasons at Ole Miss, breaking a foot as a true freshman, and then injuring his neck after seven games last year. Most of all, his route running has been called simplistic and basic. Those definitely go on the negative side of the ledger.

Here’s the thing. All too often, we focus on the negative instead of the positive. We look at what people can’t do, instead of what they can. I worked in human resources for several years, and I now teach reading to students at all grade levels, many that are challenged. My mantra for years has been this: my focus is on capabilities, not disabilities. In teaching, we need to know the disabilities, so we may focus on techniques to overcome those and improve the capabilities already there. When hiring job candidates, I focused on what the applicant could do for our company, not what they couldn’t do.

The same is true of DK Metcalf. Of course, the Seahawks are going to work with Metcalf to improve his route-running. According to reports out of OTAs, he’s already better than advertised. As fans, let’s focus on what Metcalf can already do. 14 touchdowns out of 67 catches in college is a pretty good template for success. Especially when you remember he was a redshirt sophomore in his final season.

Instead of expecting him to be Megatron, let’s set a reasonable goal for Metcalf. Since he’ll likely take snaps from both David Moore and Jaron Brown, let’s set their stats as his baseline. Combined, the pair was targeted 72 times, made 40 catches for 611 yards and 10 touchdowns. That sounds like a heck of a good rookie season to me. By the way, Calvin Johnson had 48 catches for 756 yards and four scores as a rookie. Nice production for the second pick overall. The Seahawks can reasonably expect similar production from their 64th pick. All DK Metcalf has to do is be himself, and we should all be happy.