The Seahawks wrapped up OTAs Thursday afternoon. The most boring but also biggest takeaway? Everyone showed up and there weren’t any injuries.
But let’s talk about a few other notes from Day 3 and revisit what we learned from interviews.
Why new Seahawks WR stood out to Bump at OTAs
The takeaways
• Nick Emmanwori getting some work at outside linebacker. The rookie defensive back still spent the majority of his time in the secondary, but on Thursday he spent some time getting pass rush reps (that included some one-on-one work with a position coach). What’s it tell us? Yes, Mike Macdonald and this defensive staff are trying to figure out how to best utilize and develop their versatile second-round pick. But as noted by Michael Bumpus on Friday afternoon, this is also about rounding out skills for your nickel cornerback, which is where Emmanwori was projected to play.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a great day. The third-year wide receiver has a chance to build off a breakout sophomore season, but this time around he’ll have to do without DK Metcalf commanding attention from opposing defenses. The good news: He looks great so far and had a few big catches (not that you’re shocked to hear it).
• Drew Lock might’ve had the best week out of the three QBs. No, it doesn’t mean there’s a controversy. What is encouraging, though, is knowing your backup looks confident and can throw a dart.
• Julian Love‘s teaching moments. File under quick sideline moments “seen and heard”: Love walking to the sideline after a play, talking to Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen about making adjustments down on the goal line.
• From Bump: Communication looked (and sounded) good on defense, free-agent receiver John Rhys Plumlee could be a fun name to watch this preseason, and a surprising name gets work at first-team center (listen to Bump’s takeaways in Hour 1 of Friday’s Bump and Stacy when the podcast is available Friday afternoon).
What to watch from OTAs
• Start the video for second-year pro Tyrice Knight talks about how he’s growing at linebacker (ironically by shedding some weight) and what it’s like being in a LB room with Ernest Jones. Keep watching for Tyrice, Bump and myself talking about our Mount Rushmore of foods.
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• Start the video for Cooper Kupp talking about how he’s feeling at Seahawks OTAs. Keep watching for Kupp giving an enthusiastic history lesson on how the NFL has evolved since 2017.
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• Start the video for Derick Hall appealing to the outdoorsman in all of us. Keep watching for Hall’s memorable interaction with DeMarcus Lawrence.
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More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Seahawks RT Abe Lucas on his health: “I’m playing – that’s a good sign”
• What Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp likes about his new OC
• Abe Lucas: Seahawks have brand-new offensive ‘identity’
• Seahawks QB Sam Darnold busy learning new city and offense
• Notes and observations: Seattle Seahawks’ second open OTA practice