Seahawks Standout Players Through First Quarter Of 2022 Season – Rookie Stars?
Through the first four games of the 2022 season, the Seahawks have had ups and downs. While the record isn’t perfect, there are players on the roster that have exceeded our expectations.
The Seahawks have been a difficult team to evaluate so far this season. At moments, the offense has looked like one of the best units in the league, but it laid a complete egg in the 49ers game. The defense has looked downright awful against everyone except the Broncos, and the streak continued last week against the Lions. However, a few individual players on the defense have been playing quite well, compared to our expectations for them before the season began. Let’s take a look at three guys on offense and three on defense that are shining for the Seahawks so far.
Seahawks Offensive Standouts
Geno Smith, Quarterback: There’s no way one can make a list of standout players for the Seahawks and not include Geno Smith. Geno just took down the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award, and has completed an outstanding 77.3% of his passes through four weeks (an NFL record for passers with at least 125 attempts). Geno is Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated quarterback and is clearly outplaying Russell Wilson, making the Wilson trade look better every day.
NFC Offensive Player of the Week: Geno Smith pic.twitter.com/WH7kZoQ0Ry — CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 5, 2022
Abraham Lucas, Right Tackle: This isn’t a knock on Charles Cross. Cross, a top-ten pick, was expected to be good right away, which he has been. Lucas, on the other hand, has truly surpassed my expectations. He has held up in pass protection (152 snaps, zero sacks allowed), which doesn’t come as a surprise after his extensive experience in the Air Raid system at Washington State. What is really impressive is Lucas’ run-blocking ability, which he has flashed multiple times (especially in the Lions game on some of Rashaad Penny’s breakaway plays).
Colby Parkinson, Tight End: While Colby’s production isn’t elite by any stretch of the imagination, he has six catches on seven targets across four games for 115 yards and a touchdown. In his full two first seasons, he had seven catches on ten targets for 49 yards. Parkinson is on pace to put up respectable numbers for a team’s second- or third-string tight end, and it’s nice to see him get involved in this offense that features tight end targets on play action. Each of Colby’s six catches this season have resulted in a first down.
Seahawks Defensive Standouts
Uchenna Nwosu, Edge: Nwosu has been the Seahawks best pass rusher and best edge defender so far this season. He has produced in every aspect of the game: two sacks, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and 16 tackles. He leads the team with seven quarterback pressures, and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after his performance against the Broncos in Week One.
Tariq Woolen, Cornerback: Both Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen have been picked on a bit, but such is life for rookie defensive backs. Woolen has put plays on tape that prove he has the ability to become an elite player in the NFL. He has two interceptions in the last two weeks, and took one to the house against the Lions. His breakneck speed shows on most plays, and he’s allowing just a 47.1% completion rate.
Shelby Harris, Defensive End: Harris, a piece of the Russell Wilson trade that is often forgotten, has been playing effective football this season. He has just two pressures and eight tackles on the year, but he missed the entire Week Three game and played only three snaps in the Week Two game. I think Harris’ value is less in counting stats and more in the impact he has keeping the opposing run game slowed down. He won’t be a super long-term piece of the Seattle defense, but he will be a good player while he’s still around.
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