It’s year two under Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks are kicking off training camp on July 23 with some exciting rookies, high expectations for the defense, and a few question marks for a brand-new offense.
Wyman: Mafe has highest ceiling among Seattle Seahawks edge rushers
We’d love to know everything about this team heading into Week 1, but unfortunately, we won’t. So, let’s cut out the noise and figure out what we can actually watch and learn this summer.
We can learn
Who’s rounding out the wide receiver depth
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are heading up Seattle’s receiving corps, but behind them are some big-bodied vets, key special-teamers and intriguing rookies battling it out for the final few spots.
If ever there was a time for receivers to shine, it’s in camp. And if there ever was a battle to watch, it’s this one.
Fifth-round pick Tory Horton might be the most intriguing young name here. The 6-3 Colorado State star was a bit of a steal in the fifth round; after a stellar 2023 (a career-high 1,136 yards on 96 receptions) Horton saw his production dip with an injury-shorted 2024 campaign. Also battling for those final spots are veterans Jake Bobo, Cody White and Dareke Young, fellow rookie Ricky White III, along with return specialist Steven Sims. Horton and Bobo probably have the edge here, but if Seattle carries six wideouts, a big impact in the return game or on special teams can be a make or break for that final spot.
How this team wants to use rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (and if that role grows, how much they trust him)
Comparisons to Kam Chancellor or the league’s top safety Kyle Hamilton are just a bit premature for a rookie who’s never played a down in the NFL, but Emmanwori is a dynamic weapon with thump, speed, and tons of athletic upside, so you can see why fans (and this team) are so excited about having a new, versatile weapon on defense.
Seattle’s plan for TE Elijah Arroyo
My co-host Michael Bumpus is especially eager to see how the team utilizes their rookie tight end in camp, another draft steal and someone who has a chance to add a boost to a position group that’s not been especially electric in Seattle regardless of OC.
“He’s one of the more dynamic players on the team,” Bumpus said. “Right line of that end. He can get in the backfield if need be, slot out outside. What’s your plan for a player with that much versatility? And how much are you gonna give him to start?
“He might come out there and be the third tight end to start camp, but eventually you start watching practice film, and evaluating your players and you starting giving these young guys more and more. How much can Arroyo handle?”
We won’t learn
What this offensive line really looks like
Yes, we’ll see some early shuffling and eventually get a clearer picture of the starters on the interior (excluding Zabel, who will certainly start) but the single biggest non-QB question facing the Seahawks this year won’t be answered until September and beyond. The most important thing to track through camp will be health, particularly for right tackle Abe Lucas.
How good the offense is
For the record: Seattle’s offense looked very underwhelming in training camp ahead of 2022 and Geno Smith ended up setting a franchise record for single-season passing yards. Sometimes you just can get the best grasp on what exactly the team will look like, particularly with new faces.
That’s especially true with offenses that are trying to both limit what onlookers see and play under strict contact rules.
“They can look good. Alignment, assignment, everything can look good,” Bumpus said. “You typically do against your own guys. You can get a better idea in joint practices, but you’re still not going to know how good the offense is. It’s more of just knowing if guys are doing the right thing, getting to the right spots, and making the right play.”
Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
Seattle Seahawks news and analysis
• Bump: Seattle Seahawks’ return game an overlooked area that needs to improve
• A what-if domino effect: How Penix-Cousins situation ties back to Seahawks
• Four legendary Seattle Seahawks picks ranked among NFL’s best draft values since 2000
• Something’s funny about how Hawks are ranked after parting with Geno, DK, Lockett
• Huard: WR could produce Seattle Seahawks’ most competitive roster battle