Seahawks news: Spoon in the slot and DK Metcalf oversteps

The Seattle Seahawks have a young and talented roster. In fact, the coaching staff appears to still be trying to make sure all their young players are in the correct spots to help the team win games and get back into the playoffs. But one move in minicamp this week might surprise some people.

First round choice, and fifth overall pick, Devon Witherspoon was probably assumed to be an outside corner and start opposite Tariq Woolen Week 1. But hold up just a second, it seems. Seattle was playing Witherspoon at nickelback quite a bit in practice.

According to head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks just wanted to see what Witherspoon looked like in the slot. Carroll stated, per The Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell, that he "talked to (Witherspoon) about (playing the slot) way back when, and he was all excited: ‘I can learn it all. I can get it.’ He was really positive about it, so when we gave him the chance he jumped right on it."

Still, Witherspoon playing in the slot would have to be a disappointment for 12s, right? Having one excellent outside corner is great and Seattle has that with Woolen. But having two shutdown outside corners can make a good team great. Maybe Witherspoon moves back outside once training camp starts, but if he doesn't then two questions should be asked: 1) Does Michael Jackson go back to starting on the outside and can he be good again?, and 2) What happens with second-year corner Coby Bryant who started in the slot in 2022 and was pretty good?

Seahawks news for Saturday includes DK overstepping

In other news, receiver DK Metcalf (and one of the "faces of the franchise") said he was ready to step into the leadership void last offseason when the Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson and released linebacker Bobby Wagner, but Metcalf said his approach to leadership may not have been correct. Metcalf feels he tried to be too vocal and backed away from leading by example. This year will be different for Metcalf.

Per FOX Sports, Metcalf understands quarterback Geno Smith needs to be the more vocal leader. "That’s Geno’s role, to be a vocal leader. He’s the quarterback. He’s the one calling the plays. He’s the one saying ‘Hut!’" 

Metcalf, of course, is a work out beast and thinks he can show the rookies and second-year players how to be professional football players and keep their bodies healthy. This is how Metcalf learned from Bobby Wagner when Metcalf was a rookie. Now Wagner is back and he can move back to a leadership role too. The Seahawks should be set with quality veteran leadership along with a mix of young talent and that combination could help Seattle have a deep playoff run this year.