The Seattle Seahawks might fancy their chances of returning to the glory days of 2014 when they won the franchise’s first Super Bowl. At the very least, management will be hoping for a deep run in the playoffs.
While there are gaps to fill in terms of improvement, the front office has done a commendable job as it pertains to making the right acquisitions and fans are rightly optimistic over the team’s prospects as a result.
There’s quite a lot that could happen with Seahawks personnel this season and, should they live up to their potential, Seattle fans might just be in for a fairytale season.
The Seahawks are 25/1 to win the Super Bowl this year, as far as the bookmakers’ NFL picks are concerned, with the Kansas City Chiefs favored to make up for this year’s loss and return to the NFL’s summit with a win in the next big showdown.
That said, let’s take a look at some of the players who could have a breakout season for Seattle this upcoming campaign.
Gerald Everett
Gerald Everett joined the Seahawks during the offseason after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams. Everett now has the opportunity to be the No.1 option at tight end after having to split time with Tyler Higbee in L.A.
The player is known for making the most of what he’s handed, though, and his first year as the primary option in his position could see him become a top name in the NFL
While quarterback Russell Wilson will be looking for the likes of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the addition of Everett to the lineup will make it so he could be spoilt for choice as a thrower of the football.
The Seahawks are always more likely to win when they allow their QB to do his thing, and the new tight end might find that he has a very enjoyable time running away from Wilson.
D’Wayne Eskridge
Despite being picked in the second round of the draft, D’Wayne Eskridge could be an important player for the Seahawks next term. The 24-year-old wide receiver was a formidable threat with the ball when running and is known for picking up good yardage after the catch.
He does have the look of a player who could be a proper slot receiver as his career unravels and should find joy on the field with Metcalf and Lockett being players who receive lots of attention from opponents. Sure, he will have to earn his playing time – Freddie Swan is also vying for the slot – but Metcalf’s story could prove inspirational as he was also selected in the second round and has gone on to make a name for himself in the NFL
Jordyn Brooks
Brooks started his Seahawks career as a backup linebacker to K.J. Wright in 2020 but was handed a starting role on the back of an injury to Bruce Irvin. The former Texas Tech star was drafted as the 27th overall selection and he is expected to have a big season after what the team got from him last term.
Brooks made 57 tackles as a rookie, with just one of them coming in the first five games. He registered 21 in the following five games and another 35 in the last six games of the campaign. If he can continue on in the manner he ended the season, there’s every chance he could record close to, if not, 100 tackles in 2021/22.
The above is absolutely possible given the improvement he showed over the last six games of the season and, given he will be a starting linebacker in the upcoming one, he could end up as one of the NFL’s breakout stars.
Darrell Taylor
The Seahawks selected Darrell Taylor as the 48th pick in the first round of the 2020 Draft, after selecting the aforementioned Jordyn Brooks. However, the player missed his entire rookie season after being placed on the injury list.
Taylor is now thought to be back healthy, based on news coming out of the team’s minicamp, and could also undergo a conversion from defensive end to a hybrid LEO. The move would allow Taylor to impress as a pass rusher but it hasn’t been confirmed just yet.
The 24-year-old recorded 16.5 sacks playing his last two seasons for Tennessee and should be able to get 10 for his NFL team this term.
