2014 Rookies in 2015

[Hyak]

Coaches always talk about how rookies can make big jumps in their second year.

It would be huge if Norwood, Marsh, and Pierre-Louis could make a leap into being key contributors. I'd throw Richardson in there too as he really was coming on but who knows how the ACL recovery will impact his impact for 2015.

 

[marko358]

KPL is the one I'm most excited about. Hopefully he stays injury free next season.

 

[Chawks1]

I hope Chris Matthews gets the opportunity on his year 2 with us.....even if technically not a rookie this year as played in CFL.

 

[original poster]

Exciting times ahead!

I'm also very excited about 1 or 2 2015 draft players seriously stepping up.

 

[Mojambo]

If I had to pick one from that group to "pop" into star level contributor, I'd pick Marsh.

 

[jlwaters1]

I was kind of surprised Norwood was inactive. I thought he made some good plays throughout the year. Brian Walters was worthless this year, as both a WR and punt returner that spot needs to be upgraded.

I expect 2 WR's drafted this year 1 big guy, and 1 who can return punts and be a depth WR.

 

[Nothinbutm]

I'm hoping for serious strides from Tharold Simon, since this technically was his first year he got to play. He looked pretty good, raw but good, at the beginning of the season and then showed a considerable drop off after that.

He looks like he can do a ton of good with his confidence, technique, and motivation honed it. Even if he got torched in the Super Bowl.

 

[Greenhell]

KPL is who I'm rooting for the most. Kid was always around the ball when he got the opportunity to play. And faster than greased lighting.

 

[seahawks187]

We most defiantly need help at pr and kr.. Always been such a big part of our game but this season it was nonexistent

 

[hawknation2015]

* Justin Britt -- Coming off a solid year, he will take the next step in his development by improving his technique in pass pro. I would like to see him moved to LG, but without another viable OT, that's not really an option.

* Kevin Pierre-Louis -- He showed quite a bit of promise his rookie year and now has a chance to become a valuable contributor as a backup OLB and key special teams player.

* Paul Richardson -- His second-year contributions are really up in the air following his recent ACL surgery.

* Cassius Marsh -- Another big unknown who did not look very explosive in the little action he saw.

* Kevin Norwood -- Chris Matthews' sudden breakout performance gives me hope that Norwood is another diamond in the rough.

* Garry Gilliam -- After making one of the biggest plays of the season on the fake field goal, I am excited to see GG take the next step in his development from TE to reliable backup OT.

* Eric Pinkins -- Not sure what to expect from him if he stays at CB. He might be able to transition into a role at backup safety/special teamer.

* Jimmy Staten -- Managed to survive on the PS, which is more than I expected for a player so raw.

* Garrett Scott -- It's TBD until we hear whether he has recovered from his cardiovascular issue.

Other than Britt, and hopefully KPL if he stays healthy, this was kind of a lackluster class. I'm a little pessimistic about what the future holds for Richardson and Marsh, who were expected to be two of the standouts from this group. Neither showed much explosiveness at their respective positions, even before their injuries. Richardson received a ton of snaps but, outside of a couple nice catches, struggled to generate separation for the most part.

 

[Hyak]

A full offseason will be key to see if anyone from this group jumps out. Marsh is one I would love to see emerge as he would fill a big need.

I sure wish PRich would not have torn the ACL against Carolina.

 

[themunn]

I know he's not a rookie but excited to see more Jordan Hill next year, especially if we can pair him up with Mebane

 

[Hawks46]

I hope Chris Matthews gets the opportunity on his year 2 with us.....even if technically not a rookie this year as played in CFL.

Beat me to it. I'd call Matthews a rookie, unless he had NFL experience before this year. NFL size and speed is quite a bit different than CFL.

That said, he is good on ST, so I see the coaching staff bringing him back. Plus, he stepped up in the biggest game of his life. Hopefully he can build on that and get better.....we'd have our big bodied possession WR.

Marsh looked pretty good, and he's going to be important. Obviously quality depth is important and we were hurt that way when too many guys went down on the DL.

I also see Britt getting better; he's already a good run blocker, and if he could get up league average in pass protection, it will make a huge difference.

I don't see Paul Richardson making much of an impact the first half of the season. Maybe longer. If he can stay healthy, he looks to be good though. He's polished in his routes, can catch in traffic and has that speed.

I'd like to see Pierre-Louis, but he plays the same position as irvin. I'd honestly rather see Irvin progress and get better. KPL will be solid ST and depth.

Norwood is an enigma to me. He's the guy I thought could come in and produce right away; he has a skill set not replicated on the roster (until Matthews went off in the SB), and played well in big moments at Alabama.

As always, I'm intrigued by how our young guys will progress.

 

[joeseahawks]

Isn't Brock Koyle a rookie as well?
I hope KPL can replace KJ Wright. I don't know about you, but KJ has been beaten by every TE in the NFL.
Against Denver, KJ gave up 2 TDs against their TE.
In the SB, it wasn't even funny how Gronk beat him.
And there are more examples...
KPL is faster than KJ. But, we just paid KJ Wright some money ...

 

[McGruff]

Marsh is going to be a star.

 

[hawknation2015]

Marsh is going to be a star.

We'll see . . . I highly doubt that is the case at this time due to his lack of explosiveness and pass rushing moves.

 

[jammerhawk]

I agree about Marsh, I believe he's going to develop a bit like Mike B. He's tough against the run and was starting to get pressures when he got hurt. He may develop slow but most really good DEs take a few seasons, it's a hard position to play well immediately,

Frankly I wonder what happened to Norwood this season and what he is not doing in practice that holds him off the field. He's dropped a few balls when he played and that is a negative. Somehow he needs to step up his game yet he flashes real skills and could be special but he needs to work on something.

KPL is going to be a star, without question IMO. He will easily replace Malcolm Smith or Mike Morgan and offer an elite upside.

Don't think we'll see much of Richardson until the end of the PUP period next year, sure hope he learned enough to excel after or he'll be missing all next season. He does have great hands, hope he doesn't lose his speed but needs to work in weight room to beat the press.

Justin Britt did acceptably well for a rookie RT and he just might be better playing LG but suspect he'll be a lot more capable pass protecting in his 2nd season. I'm interested to see what the plan going forward is for him.

Way too soon to know about Gilliam, Pinkins who will be a safety not a CB, or Staten, or Scott. The team sees something in Staten to keep him around, he was the most transacted player this season.

I was genuinely happy the team acquired Coyle and Matthews, both seemed to compete and got better as the year went on. Matthews sure flashed some real skill during his first real game as a WR and could develop to be the big jumpball WR the team has been looking for for a few seasons now. There are a few other UDFA players that may find themselves solid jobs on the 53 if their development continues. JS and his crew are quite brilliant in spotting players worthy of being developed. The coaches seem to recognize those who can compete and want to compete. They are patient in letting players grow into their positions and allow them to develop their unique skill sets. Sure is a different and refreshing approach that is paying dividends.

I like the reality the team seems willing to be patient in developing their own talent and that several of the seem early underachievers of past drafts seem to be coming on strong as the team rounds into an elite organization and perpetual challenger for the playoffs.

Bigger, faster, stronger, and mentally tough solid team players is the mould the team is finding players to fit.