3 Seattle Seahawks that will shock the world in 2023
By Lee Vowell
The Seattle Seahawks are just...right there. They are almost on the verge of being a real contender. Sure, there are teams ahead of them, but Seattle is well-coached (don't fight that argument, 12; Seattle has been far too successful since Pete Carroll arrived in 2010), has talent, and just needs to convert on the field to take the next step.
General NFL fans know about people like DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Bobby Wagner. But just like a baseball team that needs the 7 through 9 hitters to come through consistently, a football team needs the guys who aren't considered household names to be the glue to success. Seattle has several of these kinds of players.
The stars are going to produce. That is why they are stars, correct? But which players might be ready to take off for the Seahawks in 2023? Maybe the three that follow.
Three Seahawks will surprise everyone in 2023
Seahawks surprise No. 1: Edge rusher Boye Mafe
Mafe seems almost forgotten at this point. He was a second-round pick, just behind Kenneth Walker III, in the 2022 draft. In preseason last year, Mafe looked really good and capable of helping the team immediately. But rookies need time to adjust to the NFL, at least most of them do. Mafe wasn't bad last year, he just didn't produce a bunch of statistics.
He still started three games and finished with 3 sacks. He also had 3 tackles-for-loss and finished with 41 tackles. So while Mafe was solid, he was nowhere near being a Pro Bowler or anything. That might change in 2023. While many expect Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor to get their sacks, Mafe could certainly surprise and get closer to 10 sacks himself. He has the raw ability.
With increased playing time and a year of experience, Mafe could have numbers that resemble this: 9 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 60 tackles. Those would be impact numbers from a player who should be an impact player as he was taken high in the second round. Mafe should burst on the NFL scene this coming season, and be an important part of the Seattle pass rush rotation for several seasons yet.