The Seattle Seahawks found some answers in their second preseason game of the year. Thye wound up with more questions than ever at one position group, though. Happily, those questions are due to a wealth of talent, not a lack of it.
The Seahawks made a strong case that their new and improved offensive line is for real in their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Seattle ran the ball with authority, as the late great Marv Albert used to say. 119 yards rushing in the first quarter qualifies, right?
The run game barely slowed down as the game progressed. Seattle didn't get much clarity on the final spots for the running backs, as four backs looked solid, and Ken Walker didn't even play.
The Seattle Seahawks backup wide receivers played like starters
If you think that position group is tight, you weren't watching the wide receivers last night. Jaxon Smith-Njigba barely saw any action, and neither did Cooper Kupp. Marquez Valdes-Scantling spent the game as a spectator as well.
Considering what we saw from the rest of the receiver group, MVS might want to get into the final preseason game to show what he can do. I doubt he's in any danger of being traded, but Seattle appears to have more depth than ever.
There's been quite a bit of discussion both among us here at 12thmanrising and on the interwebs that rookie Tory Horton could supplant MVS in the starting lineup to start the season. If he hasn't bumped MVS to the second-string by Week 4, I'll be shocked.
The rookie from Colorado State only had one catch, but with better touch from Drew Lock, he would have added a touchdown catch as well. But it's the logjam at the fifth and sixth spots that will make life tough for John Schneider and Mike Macdonald.
Dareke Young making a powerful case for the roster
Now in his fourth season with the Seahawks, Young has made his bones on special teams. Good thing too, because he's only seen three targets in three seasons so far. But with DK Metcalf in Pittsburgh, Seattle has a shortage (pun intended) of big, fast wide receivers. At 6'2", 224 pounds, and a 4.44 time in the 40, Young checks off all the boxes.
More importantly, he looked like DK against the Chiefs, just without the stupid penalties. Young led the team with three catches and doubled the yardage of anyone else with 52. He ran tight routes, showed nice footwork, and looked every bit the imposing target that can help Seattle move the chains over and over.
Jake Bobo makes his second TD grab to solidify his roster spot
Of course, Jake Bobo presents an even taller target for his QBs. He isn't as physically imposing as Young, but so often, he seems to get open at will. That's exactly what he did versus Kansas City, as Bobo converted both of his targets into catches.
Sure, a lot of guys caught all of their targets. But how many took both of their receptions into the end zone? It could be that he was the only guy who was too slow to make an NFL team.
For those that need a reminder, the undrafted free agent out of UCLA caught over 76 percent of his targets in each of his first two seasons. Even the great Tyler Lockett only had one season above 75 percent. 20 of Bobo's 32 catches have resulted in a first down or a touchdown so far in his young career.
He's solid on special teams as well. He's not the return threat that Steve Sims or Ricky White are, but when the game is on the line, it's time for More Bobo.
Horton returned punts in college, although Seattle didn't use him in that role against the Chiefs. Both Dareke Young and George Holani saw action as kick returners, so the Seahawks may already be looking at moving on from both Sims and White.