6 thoughts on 6 Seahawks: Noah Fant is one of the most experienced 24-year-old TEs ever
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6 thoughts on 6 Seahawks: Noah Fant is one of the most experienced 24-year-old TEs ever
Seaside Joe 1215: Plus a roundup of what you may have missed at Seaside Joe
Today’s rookie month post will highlight many of the articles that have been posted at Seaside Joe since the conclusion of the draft at the onset of May. From reacting to the Charles Cross pick to five reasons we should be optimistic about the future of the Seahawks.
But first, so this isn’t only a clip show, here are some quick, passing thoughts on players who’ve yet to play in their fourth NFL season:
DE L.J. Collier - Even if he was a late first round pick, few first round defensive ends have ever been this ineffective. You can never place all of the blame on coaches or scheme. Collier has seen the field for 930 snaps over three seasons and produced three sacks with only two additional TFLs. If you want a light at the end of the tunnel: Jerry Hughes only had five sacks through three seasons, breaking out in year four. Charles Harris has picked it up a bit in year five. But more likely the comparisons here are names like Tyson Jackson and Kentwan Balmer. Collier will also be 27 when the season begins.
QB Drew Lock - If the Seahawks had traded for Lock in July instead of during the Russell Wilson trade, fans would be content that Seattle had made “their move” to add a spark to the quarterback room. Because Lock was added in the trade, it seems fans keep looking for that spark. Lock is the spark! That’s the end of it.
WR/RB Dee Eskridge - Eskridge had four first downs and two broken tackles as a receiver, compared to two first downs and one broken tackle as a runner. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Eskridge might be able to extend his career by tacking on additional work as a running back and Shane Waldron should have plays drawn up for him.
LB Cody Barton - It’s hard for inside linebackers to prove themselves as extension-worthy, so even if he’s a starter I would be surprised if Barton is retained beyond one more season.
DB Ugo Amadi - I was a little shocked when the reminder hit today that Amadi was drafted the same year as DK Metcalf. I could have sworn he was teammates with Lofa Totupu. Amadi had remarkably similar 2020 and 2021 campaigns, neither of which necessarily signal a long-term contract is coming, but he is still only 25 which is at most only a few days older than Totupu.
TE Noah Fant - Still surprised that the Seahawks were able to get Fant in the deal because tight end is a position in which a breakout can happen after many years in the league. Fant’s 249 career targets is the 20th-most ever for a tight end over his first three seasons (dating back to the early-90s at least) and that is a lot of experience for a player who is only 24.
Great headline: The Charles Cross pick reaction
Most Comments: Pete Carroll avoids reactionary mistake in the draft
Good footage: Charles Cross vs Georgia
Most liked: The 2022 Seahawks draft class!
They don’t want to root for Ken Walker: Sympathy for the bullies
Good footage: Oh oh, Ken Walker III is going to be good right away
Next year: What will Seahawks 2023 draft look like?
You loved it: Ken Walker’s huge day against NC State
He will: Why Pete Carroll will draft a QB in 2023
Comment glory: 4 things “RBs don’t matter” ignored again
2023 QB primer: 152 names to keep in mind
DK Metcalf: Do’s and Dont’s of DK Metcalf contract
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Podcast: Reaction to the draft with Boom or Bust!
I’ve seen footage: Rashaad Penny’s breakout game against Lions
Premium: More Grayson McCall highlights
Premium: Will Levis is the next Malik Willis
Most read: Seahawks won’t pay Russell Wilson’s $250 million asking price
The history of backup starters
DK Metcalf holdout stuff: DK can’t hold out
Premium: Top-5 QBs for 2023 draft
Premium: Ranking all 32 NFL QB starters
Premium: Tariq Woolen thoughts
Media Mania: Lies about Baker Mayfield, Seahawks
6 thoughts on 6 Seahawks: Noah Fant is one of the most experienced 24-year-old TEs ever
And how many of those 249 targets were thrown by Lock? There's articles out there talking about Lock and Fant working together in the off-season. They know each other. Now I have a bad feeling Smith really is in the lead to QB this team, and it's that kind of feeling you get when you SHOULD have gotten the to-go container, yet you powered through and ate the last 1/4 of the meal.
But Lock knows Fant's routes, and that matters.
Barton getting snaps at the end of the season mattered. Didn't look like he was overwhelmed by game speed (speed and motor is what he's been known for), but he didn't seem intuitive getting to holes, sniffing out screens (Adams is or should be good in that), and not sure about his blitzing, but Barton might get a chance. However, I think Seattle's going to sign an LB this summer. Shelby Harris said LB is critical in this scheme, and Brooks is good, but having an older veteran might be helpful. We'll see in camp.
Like the positive nature of the last few articles. Not to be head-in-the clouds about this stuff, because the M's were supposed to build on their last year and they're scuffling. There are no guarantees, but if guys play to the back of their card, not even above it, Seattle has talent to compete in the NFC.
Say our boy Mofe is something, Nwosu and Taylor both take a nice step up with Harris playing solid on the line. And say Penny and Walker are really good. That's a scary team, and all of those things are very possible.
Good stuff K
Metcalf, Eskridge, and Fant gives Hawks a chance on paper to have play-making pieces that fit together in the passin game. Metcalf can stretch the field vertically while eskridge may be able expand the 2nd level horizontally. This would create intermediate spaces for Fant for exploit when the defenses are playing two high safety. I could see a scenario where Goodwin takes over on outside for Metcalf and Metcalf kicks into the slot.
Of course, all of this means nothing without someone who is able to complete the throws to them. No, Wilson would not have been able to maximize ALL of these pieces either because he doesn’t throw into the middle.