The Seattle Seahawks have plenty of new players settling into their roles on offense during training camp, but could also have a battle shaping up at one key defensive position.
The Seahawks overhauled their offense, swapping one veteran quarterback (Geno Smith) for another (Sam Darnold) while parting ways with wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The team made some additions on defense, including one undrafted free agent who has been earning some solid buzz as training camp opens and could ultimately steal a spot on the active roster.
Seahawks Could Make Room for Dynamic Rookie
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report named undrafted players from each team with a strong chance to make the final roster, putting Ole Miss pass rusher Jared Ivey in a good position in Seattle.
“Jared Ivey should fit well into the Seattle Seahawks defensive front, which makes him an ideal candidate to make the roster after going undrafted,” Sobleski wrote.
Sobleski pointed to an analysis from Bleacher Report colleague Matt Holder, who noted in his pre-draft report that Ivey has the potential to grow into an NFL starter.
“Overall, Ivey can at least be a good two-down player who is a starter during his rookie contract, especially as an even front defensive end,” Holder wrote. “How much he’ll be able to contribute as a pass-rusher is questionable, but a team that already has a good pass-rush specialist on the edge and is willing to work with him on the interior should be intrigued by Ivey’s game.”
A pre-draft analysis from NFL.com added that Ivey is explosive off the ball, though he could be a hit-or-miss prospect. The report predicted that Ivey had the ceiling to grow into an above-average NFL backup.
Tough Competition for Seahawks Rookie
Reporter Justin Melo of USA Today’s Seahawks Wire predicted in May that Ivey would not land one of the six roster spots for the defensive line. He instead predicted that Mike Morris would secure the final spot on the depth chart — and on the entire roster.
“Johnathan Hankins and Jarran Reed return in run-stopping roles,” Melo predicted. “Rylie Mills should be a roster lock as a rookie fifth-round pick. In this scenario, Mike Morris was the 53rd and final man on the team. The Seahawks are hoping for a step forward from Byron Murphy II.”
Murphy has shown good progress toward that “step forward” that Melo suggested. Reed has been singing Murphy’s praises at the start of training camp, giving him props for his physical tools and work ethic.
“He’s a great guy,’’ Reed said, via the Seattle Times. “He works hard, he listens, he’s strong as (expletive). He’s fast, and he’s strong as (expletive). And I don’t think nobody’s going to be able to block him, for real.”
Murphy told reporters that he was motivated by Reed’s prediction for his season.
“I love it, I love it,’’ he said. “… I feel like I can live up to them expectations,’’ he said. “I feel like I’m that type of player, a guy with what it takes to be defensive player of the year in this league.’’
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