Reviewing the Seahawks 2024 rookie draft class predictions – Half 1

As I did final yr, it’s time to return and overview how effectively I did in predicting the rookie seasons for the 2024 draft class for our Seattle Seahawks. There will likely be hyperlinks to the unique articles together with an excerpt of the particular predictions.

I’ll tackle the primary 4 picks this week, with the rest to return subsequent week.

Byron Murphy

Excerpt from prediction article:

Since Murphy will likely be a part of a rotation, nevertheless, he may not stuff the stat sheets as a rookie. The three guys he’s been most in comparison with – Grady Jarrett, Geno Atkins, and Justin Madubuike – all had gradual begins to their careers with 1.0, 3.0, and 1.0 sacks respectively of their rookie seasons. I believe Macdonald will get artistic and provides Murphy loads of probabilities to make performs which he’ll benefit from to the tune of 35 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and 6 TFL.

Even when Murphy doesn’t at all times make the play himself, he’ll be a constant issue within the backfield and somebody the opposing offenses should consider. The truth that he’ll nonetheless break up time with Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, and others will maintain the numbers down. It’s going to nonetheless be a stable rookie season and he’ll present glimpses of why he was the second defensive participant off the board.

Facet observe, I doubt the Seahawks will let him line up on offense like they did at Texas, however I positive hope so. Can we please let him have a giant man TD??

Precise Outcomes by way of Professional Soccer Reference:

Verdict?

I used to be just about spot on for the variety of tackles. As for the sacks and TFL’s? I suppose I used to be a bit of overzealous with my predictions. Murphy missed a while with harm and had a sack referred to as again by penalty – which additionally might have saved the Seahawks out of the playoffs. He flashed loads of expertise and took on his justifiable share of double groups. I believe the long run remains to be very brilliant for him and he’ll proceed to progress as he provides to his cross rush repertoire.

Seattle did lastly line Murphy up on offense in the direction of the tip of the season.

There he’s, lastly, huge DT Byron Murphy in on quick yardage for #Seahawks offense. As he did in Texas

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 22, 2024

Nonetheless ready for that huge man TD although!

Christian Haynes

Excerpt from prediction article:

Seattle’s beginning guards final season have been basically some mixture of Damien Lewis, Phil Haynes (no relation to Christian), and 2023 rookie Anthony Bradford – with beginning middle Evan Brown additionally receiving some guard snaps to cowl accidents. Of these 4 gamers, solely Bradford stays. The Seahawks introduced in competitors on the guard spots within the type of *checks notes* Tremayne Anchrum and Laken Tomlinson.

Haynes performed solely at proper guard in school and was extraordinarily sturdy, beginning 49 consecutive video games for the Huskies. With Anthony Bradford’s inconsistency final season, there must be an open competitors at proper guard in 2024. I anticipate Haynes to get each probability to wrestle away the beginning job and can certainly win the place out of coaching camp. Barring harm, he’ll convey his consecutive begin streak from school to the NFL and kind a nasty duo on the appropriate facet of the offensive line with a (hopefully wholesome) Abraham Lucas.

A wildcard could be that Haynes cross trains as a middle since he took snaps there on the Senior Bowl.

Both manner, I anticipate Haynes to solidify himself as a core a part of the Seahawks offensive line by the tip of the 2024 common season. And in case you want a bit of extra convincing, former Seahawks Legend, Corridor-of-Famer, and present Seahawks guide Steve Hutchinson thinks Haynes will likely be “A really good f—cking player”.

Precise Outcomes by way of Professional Soccer Reference:

Verdict?

Oof.

Haynes did have a streak associated to beginning video games this season within the type of not beginning a single one…so he’s bought that going for him. First, he couldn’t beat out Anthony Bradford for a beginning job. Then, Bradford was injured and fellow rookie Sataoa Laumea – who we are going to get to subsequent week – leapfrogged him because the beginning proper guard to complete the season. Haynes appeared overmatched at occasions and might want to achieve energy within the offseason to push for a beginning job subsequent season. He took a number of snaps at middle in apply, in order that path remains to be an choice.

Tyrice Knight

Excerpt from prediction article:

The Seahawks utterly remade the LB corps this offseason, bringing on Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson on one-year contracts. I’m anticipating them to be the starters when the common season opens in September. With their contract conditions, every will likely be taking part in for his or her potential future with the workforce.

Knight, then again, ought to have a safe roster spot for a minimum of years whereas he develops and can in all probability be a pet venture for Mike Macdonald given his LB coach background.

This yr although? He’ll probably be relegated to particular groups and might want to earn snaps on protection. Preseason will likely be particularly necessary for his growth as he learns a brand new system. Macdonald mentioned Knight will probably begin at WLB but in addition needs to work him at MLB. If Knight improves all through the season and earns the coaches’ belief, there’s a superb probability that the Seahawks will head into subsequent offseason with Knight as one of many beginning LBs together with one in every of Baker or Dodson on a long term contract.

I might see a rookie season much like 2019 third-round choose Cody Barton, who was primarily a backup and particular teamer however began 2 video games as a consequence of harm late within the season. Knight will likely be a focus for everybody in preseason and can rack up the tackles whereas additionally wanting overmatched at occasions. He’ll begin the season as the highest backup LB and can end with 25 tackles and be concerned in 1 turnover on particular groups, be it a pressured fumble or fumble restoration.

Precise Outcomes by way of Professional Soccer Reference:

Verdict?

Oof…however in a great way!

Mike Macdonald took the utterly remade LB corps from the start of the season and blew it up by midway by 2024 season. Baker was traded. Dodson was waived. Enter Ernest Jones by way of commerce and Tyrice Knight off the bench. He utterly blew my guess for tackles out of the water with the elevated taking part in time, proving to be a tackling machine. Knight additionally confirmed he could possibly be succesful in cross protection and was an adept blitzer as effectively. He and Ernest Jones – if signed to a long run deal as anticipated – might kind one of many youngest and most enjoyable LB tandems within the league going ahead.

I suppose Macdonald is aware of what he’s doing!

AJ Barner

Excerpt from prediction article:

I’m not anticipating Barner to have a major function within the offense as a rookie except Noah Fant or Pharaoh Brown are injured. Fant is one of the best pass-catching TE and Brown one of the best (for now) run-blocking choice. Even UDFA Jack Westover – if he makes the workforce – is probably a greater choice to catch passes.

Since Brown is simply on a one-year contract, nevertheless, it will likely be necessary to get Barner significant snaps in run-heavy units to groom him to take over that function subsequent season. Barner was by no means a giant producer in school with 610 yards and 5 TDs whole in his 4-year school profession. He’ll have few alternatives in his rookie season and can reel in 12 catches for 125 yards and 1 sneaky TD. Extra importantly, Barner will likely be a mainstay on particular groups items and grow to be a trusted a part of Jay Harbaugh’s items.

Precise Outcomes by way of Professional Soccer Reference:

Verdict?

Once more, I underestimated a 4th-round choose!

By the tip of the season, AJ Barner might need been one of the best total TE on the roster. He was normally a dependable blocker and have become an even bigger a part of the passing recreation because the season wore on. Three of Barner’s 4 TDs came visiting the ultimate six video games and he tied his season excessive of 34 receiving yards within the remaining contest. Barner’s efficiency this season was type of like his athletic profile – nothing was distinctive, however he gave the impression to be above common at nearly all the things. That every one-around potential is TE1 materials. He might need been the steal of the 2024 draft for the Seahawks.

I used to be all around the board with these guys. Murphy was comparatively shut. Haynes was manner off in a nasty manner. Knight and Barner have been fairly far off too however in a great way. Examine again subsequent week to see how terribly I did with the remainder of the draft class!