Hanging out in the Pacific Northwest all by your lonesome like the Seattle Seahawks do can spark some underdog energy. It’s fitting with how many stars have been made with the franchise over the years.
Whether you look back on Doug Baldwin, Michael Bennett, Jordan Babineaux, or George Fant, there’s inspiration for the next undrafted free agent in Seattle to lean on. The Seahawks kept a few on their initial 53-man roster.
Just like those before him, Connor O’Toole has had a strange path to the NFL. He first played wide receiver for Utah before transitioning into a speedy pass rusher off the edge. After racking up 8.5 sacks for the Utes, O’Toole has grabbed a roster spot on Seattle’s 53-man roster with eyes set on being the next great undrafted Seahawk.
Making the 53-man roster is just the first step for Seattle Seahawks' UDFA project
O’Toole, who doesn’t even have a player page on Pro Football Reference yet, will serve as depth on the edge behind the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Nchenna Nwosu, and Derrick Hall. Clearly, there won’t be many reps for O’Toole with that rotation working at full strength.
Still, Lawrence is 33, and Mafe and Nwosu have had their share of injuries in the past. Depth will be a key aspect on the edge of Seattle’s defense, so defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald must have confidence that O’Toole can step in if needed in an emergency.
O'Toole isn't the only UDFA on the edge, but his speed and frame make him an intriguing piece on Seattle's defense going forward.
Of course, O’Toole, when active this season, will get to cut his teeth on special teams in his rookie season. With his speed, he should be around the ball plenty on kickoffs and punts.
But in the meantime, consider the knowledge that O’Toole gets to soak up by working alongside the veteran pass rushers and even Brady Russell as a special teams ace. Growth and development are always key with players in O’Toole’s position, and considering all that surrounds him, it’s hard to ask for a better situation.
For now, the path for O’Toole is clear: learn from the vets and make a splash when called upon. If he can follow that, one day Seahawks fans might be able to lump him in among the other notable undrafted free agents who made it big in Seattle.