Four Seahawks Rookies Who Could See Significant Playing Time in 2024
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The Seattle Seahawks used their eight 2024 NFL Draft picks to address needs at six different positions throughout the roster going into Mike Macdonald's first season at the helm.
Of those selections only cornerback and offensive tackle used more than one pick. Given the depth at both positions it made sense to add a couple extra bodies, but that doesn't necessarily correlate to playing time as a rookie.
With training camp set to begin on July 24 we project four draft picks who are most likely to see the field in year one with the Seahawks.
No. 1 - tight end AJ Barner
Although it might seem as a surprise, the fourth-round pick out of the University of Michigan has the best chance at playing time with two of the three players at the position from 2023 gone.
Barner, a 6-foot-6, 251-pounder, was the highest-graded run blocking tight end among Power Five schools last season who played at least 50 percent of snaps, boasting an 81.4 grade.
The former Wolverine didn't participate early on during rookie minicamp in May while recovering from a hamstring injury, but should be full go later this month for the start of training camp.
No. 2 - defensive tackle Byron Murphy II
The former Texas Longhorns standout defensive lineman plays the game in a smart, violent manner that Macdonald wants. Learning from two returning veterans will only help the Seahawks' first-round pick acclimate to the NFL, but it may also hinder Murphy from having the most snaps of any rookie at the end of the season.
At 6-foot, 309-pounds, Murphy has the potential to slot right in behind Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams, who played the most snaps for Seattle in 2023 along the interior of the defensive front for former coach Pete Carroll.
As a freshman in the Big 12 Conference the No. 16 overall pick back in April played all 12 games for the Longhorns and earned Freshman of the Year honors for his efforts.
As he embarks on his first season in the NFL there is no reason to think he won't have an immediate impact for the Seahawks.
No. 3 - linebacker Tyrice Knight
At 6-foot, 233-pounds, the fourth-round pick out of the University of Texas El Paso had the chance to make an early impression on the new Seahawks coaching staff during voluntary offseason practices, with a pair of free agent signings, Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, not able to practice due to injury.
Similarly with the tight end position, both of Seattle's starting linebackers from last season - Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks - have departed this offseason, opening the door for the Day 2 draft pick to step up and emerge as a rookie.
No. 4 - offensive guard Christian Haynes
One of the main positions of need coming into the 2024 NFL Draft for the Seahawks was the offensive line.
Haynes, a 6-foot-2, 318-pound third-round pick out of the University of Connecticut, is expected to compete at right guard with returning starter Anthony Bradford and backup Phil Haynes, along with second-year undrafted free agent McClendon Curtis and others for reps in training camp.
With injuries always a potential factor, if Haynes can earn his place during camp there could be a chance for him to emerge as a solid backup option at right guard for first-year offensive line coach Scott Huff.