Predicting which Seahawks rookies will have the biggest impact

The Seahawks have a talented roster for 2021. But Seattle took three draftees for a reason. These guys can help. OK, so maybe Seattle didn’t take just three because they only wanted the three they chose, but Seattle also clearly was good with who they got because they didn’t try to get many more.

Plus, Seattle has always been successful with unrestricted free agents (UDFAs) as long as Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been in charge of the Seahawks. Seattle has signed 13 UDFAs so far and some of the ones they have signed could make a difference in wins and losses for Seattle this coming season.

Which rookies will have a big impact will, of course, also partly be based on which rookies see the field the earliest. My prediction below is based a bit on that.

Which Seahawks rookies will have the biggest impact in 2021?

Number three: Tamorrion Terry, receiver

Terry was a bit of a surprise in the fact that he went undrafted. He is big with pretty good speed. The issue for Terry was he hurt his knee in 2020 and had to have surgery late in the year. A loaded wide receiver class caused Terry to fall completely out of the draft.

But he is capable of being a really good number three or four receiver and in 2019 averaged 58 yards on his 9 touchdown receptions. He averaged 19.8 yards a reception in 2019 and 21.3 in 2018. He will make the Seahawks active roster and make splash plays when he has a chance to see the field which should be early in the year.

Number two: Tre Brown

I have a feeling Brown is going to see the field early and often for Seattle in 2021. He plays with a chip of his shoulder and Seattle needs a bit of that Richard Sherman-type mentality back. Shaquill Griffin was a good player and a nice person but he didn’t exactly want to impose his physical will on another team and Brown does.

Seattle’s cornerbacks are the most questionable group on the defense and they need players to take ownership of the outside corners. Brown might just do that in the preseason.

Number one: D’Wayne Eskridge

Eskridge doesn’t have Terry’s size but he should fit perfectly in Shane Waldron’s offense. Waldron will likely find creative ways to get Eskridge involved whether it be jet sweeps or in the backfield or whatever (I’ll leave the creative up to the NFL coaches). Eskridge was drafted to be the number three next to Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.

Rookie receivers usually have a tough time adjusting to the NFL but Waldron is going to put Eskridge in positions to succeed and I think he does very early in the year. He might also have a few great kick returns and electrify the Seahawks sideline.