After cutting Tyler Lockett and trading DK Metcalf, it was expected that the Seattle Seahawks would look to strengthen the receiver sector during the NFL Draft. The picks didn’t come as early as I imagined, happening only in the fifth round with Tory Horton and in the seventh round with Ricky White.
White was another of the Seahawks’ picks that added a lot of value in terms of projection versus where he was actually selected. He was a star on special teams in college and should use that to his advantage in the fight for a spot in the 53-man roster.
Who is Ricky White III?
White started his high school career in Marietta, GA playing as a CB and WR, in addition to standing out as a basketball player. He transferred in his senior season with the intention of playing at a higher level of competition. There he played with edge BJ Ojulari (LSU), tight end Arik Gilbert (LSU) and running back Kimani Vidal (Troy).
He went to college as a three-star recruit. He had many offers, and among the Power 5 teams were Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and West Virginia. He decided to go with the Spartans. He was suspended in 2021 amid an investigation, which we’ll get into later.
Ricky transferred to UNLV and broke school records and was a two-year team captain. He finished his career with 3,366 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns on 228 receptions, averaging 14.7 yards per reception and 24 drops (7 in 2024).
Ricky White is a UNLV legend:
First UNLV All-American WR to be selected since 1995;
First Rebels to record more than one 1,000-yard receiving season;
Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year;
Third-team All-American in 2023, second-team All-American in 2024;
Two-time captain at UNLV;
Recorded five games of at least 100 yards in 2024 for the Runnin’ Rebels.
Michigan State suspension
In January 2021, two Michigan State players were accused by a woman of sexual assault. The players were not identified in the complaint, but police later named them. The police department referred the case to the district attorney, but the request for charges was denied on Oct. 18, Ingham County Chief Assistant District Attorney Mike Cheltenham said.
One of the players filed a Title IX lawsuit against the university in October, alleging that the university violated his rights by delaying the investigation and suspending him indefinitely. However, the lawsuit was denied because the player’s name was not included in the lawsuit.
Even without naming the players publicly, it is possible to find out or deduce who it was. ESPN’s reporting noted one of the accused was a “sophomore scholarship football player,” of which White was at the time. The other was DB Michael Gravely Jr, who was a freshman and ultimately transferred like White, but he went to Western Kentucky and later to Ball State.
Athletic Ability
The Seahawks don’t have many standards for drafting WRs, with the exception of the 40-yard dash. The team usually only drafted players who ran in the 4.4s. White was only the fifth player at the position to be drafted without reaching that mark.
Chris Harper: Ran 4.55s and was drafted in the fourth round of 2013. He was cut before the season started, becoming the second tallest player in that class not to make the roster.
Kenny Lawler: Ran 4.64s and was drafted in the seventh round in 2016. He never played a snap in the NFL and in 2018 he joined the CFL, where he is today.
John Ursua: Ran 4.56s and Seattle gave up a sixth-round pick in the following draft to come back in the seventh round in 2019 and get him. He appeared in only 3 games and had 11 yards on one catch. He has been without a team since August 2021.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine and his Pro Day numbers varied greatly among scouts but the projected was 4.52s. He was picked in the first round.
I admit that Ricky White’s tape does not match his Pro Day and Combine results. He is faster on tape and much more agile too.
He could be a star on special teams
“Ricky (White III), the special teams side, Jay (Harbaugh) and Fitz (Devin Fitzsimmons) are really excited about him. Josh (Bynes), all those guys. He blocked four punts. Personally, he reminded me a little bit of Donald Driver , they (Green Bay) drafted him in the sixth round. He was one of the best special teams players in the league before he completely cemented himself as our number one receiver. That’s kind of what he reminded me of. He’s tough. He also has that gangly look.”
In addition to Driver, it’s common to think of Matthew Slater, also a receiver and a big star on the Patriots’ special teams. He has the potential to be a star in the third phase of the game, but he could also be important in the offense of the Seahawks.
He blocked four punts in 2024 (more than any other FBS team) and was the Mountain West special teams player of the year last season.
It is worth remembering that in the article released by the Seahawks telling how the three days of the Draft went, at a certain point on Day 3 Jay Harbaugh is called to discuss some prospects. The one who draws the most attention for special teamers is precisely White and the ST coach may have had some influence on the choice.
Value on the offensive side
Ricky White has an explosive and natural feel for the game. His greatest weapon is his linear speed, which he uses to position defenders and create decisive plays. The CB respects his vertical threat and creates space for the short route.
He ranks first among prospects in yards per route versus zone. Good understanding of the defense on the play. He knows he is against a LB and that the space will be behind the defender. White moves and exploits this, receiving good passes.
He lined up a lot as a Z-Receiver at UNLV and can do the same in Seattle. However, his work as a slot is also worthy of note. Excellent release against the CB who was marking him in pressure. He gets separation, but the QB misses the pass (something that happened frequently last year).
Good ability to create separation against man coverage (he didn’t face this much in college). This made him one of the highlights of the Shrine Bowl in 1v1, including winning many reps against Nohl Williams, chosen by the Chiefs in the third round.
He quickly realizes that the QB needs help and adjusts until he can receive the pass, even taking the hit.
He threatens the out route and takes off downfield. This explosion, change of direction and speed are proof that his tests were not consistent with what he presented on the field. His stop and go ability made the CBs hesitate all the time.
He still needs to refine his cuts for sharper routes. However, he gets a lot of production after the catch. When he receives the pass, he sees the possible paths to more yards well. In addition, he has a good sudden change to make good cuts. He has the second-most receptions of 30+ yards since 2023.
Despite a lighter frame, he has no problem sacrificing himself to block. He needs to improve his technique a bit since in two games last season he negated TDs due to illegal blocks.
Where he needs to improve
He is not a receiver who can catch the pass outside his frame. Whenever there is a physical contest in the process of receiving, White suffers.
He had 24 drops (the same number of TDs in his career). Most of them happened in situations similar to this one, where he is unable to impose himself physically and loses at the catch point.
When marked in press (something that will happen more often in the NFL) he is rerouted frequently and easily.
Final Thoughts
Ricky White and Jalen Royals (Kansas City Chiefs) were my sleeper WRs who hadn’t been getting much attention due to playing in the Mountain West. Royals was a steal for the Chiefs in the fourth round and White could have gone late in the fourth or early in the fifth. That way, the Seahawks got an excellent value with the pick.
I’ll be rooting for him to make the roster. It’s essential for Day 3 players to look to help in secondary roles. The fact that he’s willing to block and has a lot of potential on special teams helps the case for him to stay in the 53.
The fight for the spot will be tough. JSN and Cooper Kupp are locked in for schematic reasons, while MVS and Tory Horton seem to have their spots in the 53 as well. White’s real competition would be against the fan favorites: Jake Bobo and Dareke Young (with Cody White running on the outside). Both help a lot on special teams and also in blocking for the running game. So that’s three players for two or three spots, depending on how many receivers the Seahawks want to take.