The Seattle Seahawks rookies combined for 155 snaps in Week 5. Nick Emmanwori’s return to the starting lineup increased the total and was the first real contribution from a Seahawks rookie defender this year. DL Jared Ivey had some snaps, while Emmanwori himself also had limited contributions in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers before his injury.
All data used in this article was taken from PFF.
Let’s analyze some of the key plays from this game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
Grey Zabel, Offensive Guard (60 snaps)
It was a game
of ups and downs for the rookie. Playing on the offensive line takes time to find solidity. However, I think the rookie has been making some mistakes that need to show improvement, especially his hand positioning.
According to PFF, he didn’t yield any pressures (???), but still had the third-worst pass-block grade at 45.9 and the worst run-block grade at 43.9. The rookie also committed his first penalty, a holding after poor hand positioning and footwork.
On this play, he attempts to make contact but misses and hits the air, causing a stumble. He tries to recover but nearly commits another holding.
Again, his hands. They’re wide open, giving the DL free access to his chest, pushing him several yards back toward his QB.
On the other hand, he showed good improvement in processing stunts quickly. The Bucs call a simulated pressure by dropping their two DTs into coverage. Zabel notices the drop (he seems to communicate this to Jalen Sundell) and quickly goes to help Charles Cross and takes the defender to the ground.
The DL gave early warning signs of the stunt. Zabel realizes this, uses the punch to pass the defender to Cross, and waits for the looper. Excellent lateral mobility to slow the edge and good contact/grip to deny any rush.
Nick Emmanwori, Defensive Back (39 snaps)
This was his real debut after getting injured early in the game against the 49ers in Week 1. According to PFF, he was one of the team’s standouts:
- 2nd in Defense Grade;
- 2nd in Run Defense Grade;
- 1st in Tackle Grade;
- 4th in Pass Rush Grade;
- 2nd in Coverage Grade;
This was quite obvious on the field. Emmanwori even showed signs that he could help out in the WLB role when Spoon returns, as Drake Thomas and Tyrice Knight haven’t been playing well.
The Seahawks are in Tampa 2 and a series of mistakes occur. Riq Woolen is responsible for the flat, but since there wasn’t the slightest threat in his zone, he could have stuck with the receiver.
The zone attacked was Emmanwori’s, who was the Hook defender in this play. However, the rookie thinks the pass will be short and leaves his zone to cover the checkdown pass with the RB. Tyrice Knight was covering no one and could have gone for the checkdown on this play.
Emmanwori played seven snaps as a pass rusher, managing only one rush. His biggest area of improvement is his timing on blitzes. When he fixes this, his production will increase significantly.
Notice how he gives signals that he’s going to blitz, but he can’t disguise it. Then he moves a little early, and when he returns to his stance, the snap happens, and he ends up coming out a little late. In the NFL, that “half-second” can be the difference between a sack and a first down.
The rookie’s physicality is great. He’s aggressive (more so than he was in college), pushes the blocker back, and forces the ball carrier to make a decision. Nick shakes off the block and makes the tackle.
Bucs slot fade. This play yielded two big gains, including a TD in the game against the Cardinals. Emmanwori covers very well here, showing good off-coverage and forcing the QB to move to other reads.
Emmanwori faces Emeka Egbuka again, once again in man-to-man coverage. He does a good job tracking the receiver almost step by step. His change of direction is much better than in college, at least in this matchup.
Elijah Arroyo, Tight End (29 snaps)
After his best game of the season, the rookie saw his production decline. He had just one target for 10 yards. Of his 29 snaps, only eight were blocks (seven for the run and one for the pass). This time, he didn’t get any key blocks like he did last game. He also didn’t make any major mistakes, earning him the fifth-best run-blocking grade according to PFF (I disagree, but okay).
The Seahawks called a toss, something that worked very well against the Cardinals. Arroyo and Charles Cross advanced on the pull, but the TE used a terrible technique against No. 25, lost the block, and gave up the tackle.
I’d like to see this type of play more often. Arroyo was isolated on one side of the field. With Lavonte David in his coverage, it indicated they were defending man-to-man. The rookie ran a good route and was physical against the LB, creating separation through contact.
Jalen Milroe, Quarterback (1 snap)
I’ve always been an advocate of giving Milroe some snaps. However, the Seahawks haven’t been doing this ideally. Put him on the run; when he becomes a real threat, the play-action or zone-read will be good in short-yardage situations.
In other words, either put him on the pass or run. The Seahawks are using him here to only throw one pitch. The turnover only created more pressure on the rookie.
PS¹: Sam Darnold’s orbit motion is bizarre.
PS²: It’s great to see Leslie Frazier promptly motivating Milroe after his error at the sideline.
Rylie Mills, Defensive Lineman (0 snaps)
NFI List.
Tory Horton, Wide Receiver (25 snaps)
On four targets, he had three receptions for 39 yards and one TD. I believe the downside was his two decisions to let the ball bounce on the punts. One of them was in the middle of the field, but the other left the Seahawks essentially at the 1-yard line.
The Seahawks have been trying this with Horton for a while now. Two deep routes to create space and this drag route. The idea is to create space for Horton to gain yards after the catch. So far this season, he’s been tackled, but at some point this play will succeed.
Robbie Ouzts, Fullback (0 snaps)
IR.
Bryce Cabeldue, Offensive Lineman (0 snaps)
No snaps.
Mason Richman, Offensive Lineman (1 snap)
In every offensive snap he played in the NFL, the Seahawks scored a TD.
Final Thoughts
Despite the loss and the poor performance of the defense, Nick Emmanwori was one of the standouts of this defense. The rookie is a product of development, so don’t be alarmed if he sees a decline in production in the future. This fluctuation is natural, especially for him, who isn’t playing the same role/position he did in South Carolina.
Speaking of fluctuation, it’s natural for Grey Zabel, but he seems to be heading in the right direction. Arroyo and Horton have been alternating targets from game to game. On the other hand, Milroe may return to being an emergency (inactive) QB on game days.
