Seahawks DK Metcalf will have Hall of Famer style rookie year

DK Metcalf Seahawks rookie year will be worthy of a Hall of Famer. Don’t get too excited; that doesn’t really mean what you think.

That’s right, I’m going out on a limb and saying right now that DK Metcalf will have a rookie season that fits right in with the all-time greats. After all, that’s why the Seahawks drafted him in the – ahem, second round. Regardless of his draft position, his ability will shine in 2019. I guarantee his stats will be indistinguishable from almost any Hall of Fame wide receiver’s rookie year.

The statheads among the 12s are already chuckling. Those of you who can call up any given season of Steve Largent’s by heart, you know who you are. This article is for the other 90 percent of you. Statheads, you will still want to read on. Things will get mathy later. Just the thought of all those numbers is making you drool, I know.

Since we’re taking about the Hall of Fame, there’s no better person to start with than Mr. Largent. He only has 819 receptions, 13,089 yards, and the wonderfully solid number of 100 touchdown catches. I’ll be the first to tell you that’s a very big mountain to climb for Metcalf. But we’re not talking about his career, just his rookie season.

Largent’s rookie year was certainly impressive. He did make the NFL All-Rookie team in 1976, after all. But 54 catches for 705 yards and four touchdowns doesn’t exactly scream future Hall of Famer, either. I’m not belittling Largent’s performance one bit. I’m just reminding everyone that he wasn’t a Pro Bowler until his third season. As a matter of fact, his yards per catch, 13.1, was the worst of his career. He had an excellent rookie season, but he wasn’t quite Steve Largent yet.

Take a look at this wide receiver’s stat line for his rookie campaign: 16 receptions for 167 yards and zero touchdowns. I mean, geez, I’m surprised they didn’t cut the guy after that performance. He only played in nine games and didn’t even manage one start. You can be pretty certain the Steelers were happy they kept him around though. At least until last year, when Antonio Brown wore out his welcome. Brown only has 837 receptions and 74 touchdowns so far.

Let’s look at another Hall of Fame receiver like Largent. He had just ten catches as a rookie, although to be fair, he maximized his impact with 226 yards and 3 touchdown catches. It’s fair to say that like Largent and Brown, Lance Alworth didn’t quite look like a Hall of Famer as a rookie. A while back I looked at Megatron’s rookie year while writing about expectations for Metcalf. The rookie season of Calvin Johnson is pretty indistinguishable from Largent’s. Hall of Fame receivers may haul in 17 touchdowns as rookies like Randy Moss, or none, like Brown and Alworth.

I’d be surprised if Metcalf matched Largent’s rookie campaign, or Doug Baldwin’s either. Angry Doug pretty much nailed Largent’s rookie year, by the way. I’d be even more surprised if he doesn’t outperform Brown or Tate, though. And they seem to have done alright for themselves. Very few great wide receivers are near their peak as rookies, and Metcalf isn’t likely to be an exception. Especially in the Seahawks run-oriented offense. So if he has less than 20 catches this year, just remember AB and Bambi, and relax.