Predicting each Seahawks rookie’s production in 2019

Marquise Blair, safety

I think Marquise Blair is going to be a good player for the Seahawks in his career. Blair probably won’t be the next Kam Chancellor because placing expectations on anyone to replace any great player is asking a lot. It would be nice if by the end of Blair’s career in Seattle, though, if people are asking, “Who will replace Blair?”

Even though Blair was a second round pick and Chancellor was a fifth round choice, it is important to remember that in Chancellor’s rookie season he didn’t do much. He had 16 tackles and no starts. Blair could start right away but that would be a lot of pressure in Seattle’s system.

Prediction for Blair in 2019: 8 starts, 30 tackles, two quarterback hits and one interception

D.K. Metcalf, wide receiver

As we all know, D.K. Metcalf has a large amount of physical ability. But Metcalf also has to learn to be an NFL receiver. Even the most highly skilled and polished receivers coming out of college tend to struggle in the first year or so. While I was completely wrong about where Metcalf would go in the draft, there was a reason teams passed on him until the end of the second round. He needs to learn to run routes fluidly.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1121170442994290694

Metcalf’s rookie year could either be one where he becomes a monster right away or one where he simply learns his way. Either way is fine because I think Metcalf will be a good player for Seattle in years two and three, but maybe he has too much foisted upon him in 2019.

Prediction for Metcalf in 2019: 38 catches, 527 yards, 4 touchdowns (and people will begin to doubt his capability which will be completely incorrect)

Cody Barton, linebacker

Cody Barton is a nearly perfect Pete Carroll player as far as technique. Carroll loves tacklers and especially those who don’t miss. If someone is coming at you, you take them down and don’t let them get extra yards. Missed tackles cost the Seahawks in 2019 and Carroll will want to fix that.

In OTAs, Barton was a solid performer. It also probably helps that he played with Blair at Utah and the players can feed off each other. Barton is smart and knows his limitations. Carroll also says that Utah’s scheme helps those players prepare for Seattle’s in that the philosophies are so similar.

Barton plays linebacker, though, so he may not see the field a lot in 2019 as Seattle already has Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks. But Barton will be a big help on special teams.

Prediction for Barton in 2019: Plays all 16 games, 8 tackles