Featured image of post Seahawks' 2020 Draft Class Shaping Into Foundation For Future Success

Seahawks' 2020 Draft Class Shaping Into Foundation For Future Success

Seahawks’ 2020 Draft Class Shaping Into Foundation For Future Success

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John Schneider has rightfully been grilled for struggling to draft impact players in recent years. But if last season serves as any indication, his 2020 draft haul has a chance to be a game changer for Seattle next season and beyond.

Following the conclusion of a challenging season in which they finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the first time in five years, there’s plenty of pessimism surrounding the Seahawks heading into a critical offseason.

After trade rumors swirled around the star quarterback last spring, speculation once again is running rampant about Russell Wilson’s future with the franchise. The team doesn’t have a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft as a result of the blockbuster trade to acquire safety Jamal Adams from the New York Jets. A number of key veterans such as safety Quandre Diggs and running back Rashaad Penny could bolt in free agency, creating more holes on the roster needing to be filled.

Additionally, whether fair or not given their track records, many fans question the decision to maintain status quo with general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll with the team winning a single playoff game in the past five years.

But if there’s a reason to be bullish on the Seahawks turning things around and rebounding next season, a good starting point would be the emergence of their 2020 draft class. Led by linebacker Jordyn Brooks, the eight-player class is shaping up to be the best group Schneider and Carroll have picked since Wilson and perennial All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner came to town as part of their famous 2012 class.

Playing his first full season as a starter alongside Wagner, Brooks did his best to emulate the future Hall of Famer, starting all 17 games and racking up an NFL-best 184 tackles. Along with breaking Wagner’s single-season franchise tackles record, he also tied him with 20 tackles in a single game during Seattle’s Week 18 victory in Arizona. Pro Football Focus credited him with 48 stops, tied for 10th most in the league.

In addition, Brooks registered a team-high 10 tackles for loss and produced nine pressures, a sack, and three quarterback hits on just 56 blitz attempts, generating a respectable 16 percent pressure rate. Making an impact in a variety of ways for the Seahawks, he earned the first of what should be many All-Pro votes following in Wagner’s footsteps.

Jordyn Brooks etched his name in Seahawks history by breaking Bobby Wagner’s single-season tackle mark in just his second season with the team.

If there’s an area Brooks must make significant strides moving forward, Pro Football Focus charged him with 92 receptions for 1,010 yards allowed in coverage. He also surrendered seven touchdown receptions, the most for any linebacker in the NFL in 2021, while yielding a league-worst 129.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.

Still, those raw numbers undersell clear improvements made by Brooks as a cover linebacker in his sophomore season. There were plenty of times he found himself well-positioned, only to be beaten by outstanding throws, and he did produce four pass breakups. Adjusting as the season progressed, he did a much better job of recognizing and reacting to screens down the stretch as well.

While Brooks stands out as Schneider’s best first-round selection since Bruce Irvin nearly a decade ago and could take the torch from Wagner as the new face of the defense in time, he’s not the only potential building block on that side of the football heralding from Seattle’s 2020 draft class.

After missing the entirety of the 2020 season recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his leg, defensive end Darrell Taylor enjoyed a promising pseudo-rookie season while playing in 16 out of 17 games for the Seahawks. Exhibiting excellent burst and explosion off the edge mixed with surprising power to complement his speed rushes, the former Tennessee standout produced 36 pressures on 326 pass rushing snaps for a respectable 11 percent pressure rate and finished second on the team with 6.5 sacks.

In order for Taylor to take a giant third-year leap for Seattle, he must shore up his tackling. PFF credited him with 11 missed tackles and a 33 percent missed tackle rate, the highest on the team for any player with 500 or more defensive snaps. A number of those misses came after he found his way into the pocket, as he struggled to bring quarterbacks to the ground after doing the dirty work to position himself for sacks.

If he can clean up his tackling and be more efficient finishing as a pass rusher, Taylor has a chance to evolve into the second-coming of Cliff Avril, which would provide a major boost for the team’s inconsistent pass rush.

On the offensive side of the football, guard Damien Lewis endured a 2021 season to forget. After being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, injuries were a problem for the former third-round pick from the outset, as he missed three games with shoulder and wrist injuries and sat out a fourth due to testing positive for COVID-19. For most of the year, he played at well below 100 percent and it showed on the field.

Transitioning to left guard with veteran Gabe Jackson’s arrival via trade, Lewis wasn’t near as consistent as a run blocker compared to his rookie season. More notably, per PFF, he allowed 75 percent of the pressures (21) he did in 2020 on over 200 less pass blocking reps, struggling to keep Wilson and backup Geno Smith upright.

Still, Lewis exhibited great promise as a rookie and played well down the stretch helping open up holes for Penny. After drawing a league-high 12 penalties in 2020, he also played far more disciplined football with officials flagging him only five times. With a cleaner bill of health and a second year playing on the left side, his future remains bright and he should be a fixture in the trenches for years to come.

When Dallas had chances to play on offense in 2021, he broke three runs of 10 or more yards and added 21 receptions using tools from his past receiver background.

At the skill positions, fourth-round running back DeeJay Dallas hasn’t received extended work on offense - he only played 16 more snaps in 2021 than he did as a rookie. But there was far more to be encouraged by than his rookie year on that side of the ball. He rushed 33 times for 138 yards and a healthy 4.2 yards per carry while forcing six missed tackles and added 21 receptions for 133 yards out of the backfield. He also showed notable growth as a pass protector after struggling with blitz pickups in his first season.

At worst, Dallas has been a competent rotational back offering special teams value as a returner and coverage ace. Depending on what happens with Penny and Alex Collins in free agency, he could see a substantial uptick in offensive playing time next year.

Receiver Freddie Swain also turned in a solid second season, doubling his production across the board with 25 receptions for 343 yards and four touchdowns. While his two biggest plays resulted from busted coverages, he displayed the ability to create after the catch in spells and proved effective enough on jet sweeps with five carries for 32 yards. Though he made some questionable decisions as a punt returner, he made great progress as a sixth-round pick and could be an even bigger focal point in 2022.

What truly makes Seattle’s 2020 draft class intriguing, however, are the two players from the group who haven’t done much on the field to this point but have tantalizing traits and skill sets.

At tight end, with injuries holding him back, Colby Parkinson has yet to become a factor in the passing game as envisioned. The athletic 6-foot-7 target got off to a fantastic start in training camp, only to re-injure the same foot he broke prior to his rookie season and start the year on injured reserve. Once he returned, he rarely saw the field and the Seahawks inexplicably used him primarily as a blocker, limiting him to two catches in the first 10 games he played in.

But late in the season, while he only caught three passes in the final two games, Wilson started to look for Parkinson more often and targeted him in the red zone three times. He only converted one of those opportunities into a catch, but he picked up a first down on the reception and with more chances, he will turn those targets into production. He just needs more chances and has the upside to be a difference maker down the road, particularly inside the opposing 20-yard line.

The same can be said for defensive end Alton Robinson, who tantalized as a rookie with 4.0 sacks in limited action. Unfortunately, that play didn’t translate to the former fifth-round pick’s second season with the Seahawks, as he registered just four quarterback hits and a sack on 371 defensive snaps in 2021. He simply wasn’t able to get anything going after registering a strip-sack in a Week 2 loss to the Titans and left too many tackles on the field.

However, Robinson may have been more effective than realized amid limited playing time. Per PFF’s data, he still produced a 10 percent pressure rate on 173 rushing opportunities, suggesting he could have played more. Armed with good size, athleticism, and a quality motor, he could still develop into a quality complementary rusher to Taylor, but his third year will critical to see if he can become a bigger fixture in the team’s defensive line rotation.

Looking at the 2020 class as a whole, the Seahawks could have as many as seven players contributing as starters or key reserves on offense and defense next season. Several of those players will continue to excel on special teams as well.

At least two of those players - Brooks, Taylor, and possibly Lewis if he can bounce back - already have cemented themselves as starters and have Pro Bowl or All-Pro ceilings. Others such as Dallas, Parkinson, Swain, and Robinson have enough upside to make an impact as role players and potentially even develop into starters, offering similar day three value to players such as cornerback Jeremy Lane and guard J.R. Sweezy from the 2012 class.

Given the looming uncertainty around Wilson, the lack of draft picks, and prevailing questions about the direction of the franchise from a coaching and front office standpoint, it’s not difficult to paint a bleak picture about the state of the Seahawks. But a young foundation built around Brooks, Taylor, and a deep 2020 draft class should inspire optimism better days lie ahead for the franchise.

Ray Roberts: Whether Seahawks should re-sign their free-agent O-linemen

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The Seahawks enter the 2022 offseason with plenty of questions, one of which is what’s going to happen with the offensive line?

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Of the five 2021 starters, Seattle has just two – guards Damien Lewis and Gabe Jackson – under contract next season. Left tackle Duane Brown, center Ethan Pocic and right tackle Brandon Shell are all pending free agents.

So should the Seahawks bring any of those three back? Here’s what longtime NFL offensive lineman Ray Roberts told 710 ESPN Seattle’s Wyman and Bob.

Roberts started at left tackle with Brown, who’s 36 and has been with the Seahawks since 2017.

“There’s no one on the roster currently that’s kind of able to step in and replace Duane Brown,” he said. “So if you’re just thinking about having Duane Brown versus someone else on our roster, then yeah, the urgency is to bring Duane Brown back. If you’re looking out at the free agent world and there’s a veteran left tackle that can can bring this ability that Duane Brown brings, then maybe Duane Brown isn’t the guy to come back.”

Roberts said Brown doesn’t have the leverage he used to have with the Seahawks, so he may be open to a more team-friendly deal to return next season. That would allow the offensive line to have some more continuity for 2022.

“But they still need to come up with what is the what is the succession plan for when he leaves because that guy is still not on this roster,” Roberts said.

Next up, center and right tackle.

Shell has been Seattle’s starter at right tackle the last two years and has been solid, but he’s also missed time with injuries. Roberts thinks it may be time for a new starter at that spot for the Seahawks.

“I think Brandon Shell had an opportunity to kind of really establish himself as maybe not a Pro Bowl offensive lineman, but a really solid right tackle,” Roberts said. “But I think the injuries have taken that away. So I don’t know that he’s a dude now that you can really count on for 16 games that maybe you need to reinvest money in.”

As for Pocic, he’s been with the Seahawks since he was drafted in the second round in 2017. He was the Seahawks’ starting center in 2020, re-signed last offseason and started 2021 as the backup behind Kyle Fuller before taking over as the starter from Week 8 onward.

Roberts said he loves Pocic and he’s very smart, but he’s not sure if Pocic is the right fit for Seattle’s offense at that position.

“I just don’t know that with the way they want to play football here that he’s the guy that should be the starter here,” Roberts said.

Roberts thinks the Seahawks need to add “players of significance” at right tackle and center this offseason. But he did note that the Seahawks may have a future starting right tackle in Jake Curhan, an undrafted free agent who played a good deal in 2021 due to Shell’s injuries.

“I like Jake Curhan and what he did the last five games of the season, but he also has some limitations,” Roberts said. “So you’ve got to try to see where is his ceiling? Is this just the beginning of how good it can be, or is this the best he can be? He’s not the greatest athlete, he’s not the strongest dude in the world. But he is a dude that plays with a lot of grit, and just finish and he brings his lunch pail to every game, so it’s gonna be a long day playing against him.”

Listen to the full interview with Roberts at this link or in the player below.

Heaps: Who Seahawks can add to be more aggressive on defense

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Peaky Blinders season 6: Helen McCrory missed final scenes due to Covid delays

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Cillian promised Aunt Polly is still ‘very present’ in season 6 (Pictures: BBC/Caryn Mandabach/Rex)

Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy has expressed his sadness over Helen McCrory’s absence from the final season of the BBC drama, after she was unable to film her planned scenes due to Covid.

The star, who was married to fellow actor Damien Lewis, died in April at the age of 52 following a private battle with cancer.

Helen played matriarch Aunt Polly, who acted as the backbone of the Shelby clan for the past five seasons.

Speaking in a recent chat with Empire Magazine, Cillian explained how due to the shoot being delayed, Helen was unable to appear in the finale.

He revealed: ‘We were about to shoot and then the pandemic happened. If we had shot then, Helen would’ve been in the show, and that makes me feel sad.’

‘It’s a huge loss. She was the matriarch of the whole thing. As the character, but just also as her personality.

‘But she’s still present in series six. Steve [Knight, creator] managed to keep her very, very present.’

Helen’s character was the matriarch of the show (Picture: BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions)

It comes after Steven himself paid tribute to the late star while discussing details of the upcoming episodes.

‘The loss of the human being of Helen, who was such an incredible person… was a great tragedy for audiences,’ he said on BBC Breakfast.

‘We just felt that the energy of Aunt Polly and the energy of Helen persisted throughout the production.’

Steven also spoke about the show’s decision to continue to make her character’s presence felt in the upcoming episodes.

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‘Peaky will never be without the presence of Aunt Polly,’ he said. ‘We decided very early on that we needed to push on and that we needed to finish it. We hope that the series will be a testament to Helen.’

Meanwhile, Cillian, who plays Tommy Shelby on the show, recently suggested a change of tone could be heading our way in season six, telling Rolling Stone: ‘I think it’s going to be very intense.

Alfie Solomons will return (Picture: BBC)

‘The word we keep using is “gothic”. Yeah, it’s going to be heavy!’

Peaky Blinders is confirmed to return sometime next month after a recent teaser announced a February release date.

After season five left fans on a cliffhanger, there seems to be plenty of drama to come as Anya Taylor Joy’s scheming character Gina Gray and husband Michael (Finn Cole) continue to plot against the rest of the Shelby family.

But it’s been confirmed Tommy will survive and be a huge presence in the final season, as well as the return of Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons.

Peaky Blinders season 6 will air in February on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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MORE : Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight hopes season 6 will be a ‘testament’ to the great Helen McCrory

MORE : Peaky Blinders stage adaptation coming to show’s hometown in Birmingham in 2023

Bumpus: Seahawks top offseason priority should be addressing trenches

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The Seahawks finished the 2021 season in last place in the NFC West with a 7-10 record just a year after going 12-4 and winning the division.

Reports: Carroll and Schneider back, Wilson to ‘explore his options’

Many expect the team to “run it back” with many of the same key pieces in place in the front office, coaching staff and on the roster.

But if the Seahawks are going to change things up and make some notable additions this offseason, where does that need to happen? Former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus explained to 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake and Stacy why this offseason’s needs are very similar to previous years.

“Offensively, I think you look at that offensive line,” he said.

Yes, for many years now, the Seahawks’ offensive line figures to need addressed. The line played better in 2021 than in other recent seasons, but three of the five starters along the line are set to hit unrestricted free agency and only the two starting guards are under contract for 2022.

“That left tackle (Duane Brown) is getting old, so what are you gonna do at that position?” Bumpus said. “(Right guard) Gabe Jackson is getting up there (in age) and he had an up and down season. The center spot with Ethan Pocic and Kyle Fuller has been kind of suspect. (Left guard) Damien Lewis was injured this year and had a bit of a slump. And then the right tackle spot (with Brandon Shell), we’ve seen a lot of guys there. There’s just been no consistency on the offensive line when it comes to personnel and when it comes to play.”

Bumpus noted that because of the Seahawks’ strong finish, especially in the run game, that people may think the line is in good shape.

“This is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league, so people on the outside look at it and say, ‘What about these last two three games, haven’t they looked good?’” he said. “Yes, they did look good, but you want to find a unit that is super consistent.”

On the other side of the ball, it’s the other line.

“Defensively, I’ve got to go with the D-line again,” he said.

In 2020, the Seahawks finished seventh in the NFL in sacks after an incredible finish in the second half of the year. As a result, the Seahawks retain Carlos Dunlap and Benson Mayowa, who’d combined for 11 sacks, and signed Kerry Hyder Jr. in free agency after he compiled 8.5 sacks for the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seahawks finished 2021 22nd in sacks and only four players had two or more sacks. Mayowa and Hyder weren’t among those players.

“Thank goodness for Carlos Dunlap coming on the last six games getting eight sacks,” Bumpus said. “Before then, we were banking on Darrell Taylor, who’s a rookie essentially who hadn’t gotten much playing time and dependent on guys like Kerry Hyder, who I thought was going to have a bigger impact. When it comes down to it, the skill positions, I think these guys are OK. You can add a corner. But if you bring your safeties back, you bring everybody back and we’re just talking about the guys we have right now, I think you have to get in the trenches and address both sides of the ball.”

Listen to the full conversation between Bumpus and the Jake and Stacy crew at this link or in the player below.

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Follow @@TheBGustafson

Voting Now Open for the 2022 Coronado Community Read!

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Help choose the Coronado Public Library 2022 Coronado Community Read title! Vote for your favorite from the Top 5 list. Voting opened January 14 and will remain open through February 6.

Vote by going to commentcoronado.org or by submitting your vote to the ballot boxes located at Bay Books Coronado, the Coronado Historical Association, City Hall, the Spreckels Center, or the Coronado Library.

The Community Read program encourages discussion and participation in community-building events around the chosen title, which is selected by public vote. The winning book will be announced in mid-February, with related programs for the public taking place in April.

Presented in no ranked order, the top five books are West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge, Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and The Dog Who Could Fly by Damien Lewis.

Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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