The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the best teams in the NFL for quite some time now. In fact, that seems like a constant lately. Every year, you can almost guarantee that by the end of the season, they will be in the playoff mix.
That's the way it has been since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback. Some years he has seemingly done it himself, other years there has been a great cast around him.
Sometimes there are some incredible defenses working to make things all that much easier for the offense as well. Whatever the case, things are changing. After all, Seattle might be in the hardest division in football in the NFC West.
With that in mind, the Seahawks need players to step up each year. For 2020, we take a look at three potential breakout stars for the team.
3. Rashaad Penny
Seattle has a few running backs on the roster, but this is something people have predicted multiple times now. So why should it be any different this year?
Chris Carson is really good, but those fumbles are a legitimate issue. Meanwhile, Penny proved last season that when he's healthy, he might be the better option.
Even taking the fumbles out of the equation, Penny was better. He had a 5.7 yards per carry compared to Carson's 4.4. Sure, he did not run as much, but that should start changing.
Sure, yards per carry is far from the only indicator of a good running back, but it's hard to judge some of the other numbers due to the fact that Penny has not run as much.
That being said, it does feel like the Seahawks wanted to get Penny more involved last year. for what it's worth, when he was on the field, it was magical.
Carson's fumbles don't look like they are going away, and at some point, Pete Carroll and Co. might get tired of the problem. That will lead to more carries for Penny.
More carries for Penny will lead to bigger numbers, and maybe he'll take over as the main back. When that happens, the breakout is imminent.
2. Will Dissly
Yes, the Seahawks went out and got Greg Olsen this offseason. However, Olsen has not looked exactly the same recently and he's not going to be the super productive tight end he was a few years ago.
Meanwhile, Will Dissly looked awesome last year in his six appearances with the team. Despite his limited exposure, he still managed 23 receptions for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Clearly, he was becoming a pretty big part of the offense.
The fact that Olsen is now there should not really change much. Dissly will still see the field quite often, and every Seahawks fan knows what he is capable of.
In fact, Olsen's presence might only help. He will take a lot of pressure and eyes off of the much younger tight end. At the same time, he will be able to guide Dissly and teach him quite a few tricks.
Be on the lookout for Dissly in 2020. Big things could be coming.
1. DK Metcalf
Okay, DK Metcalf was a tough one because he already kind of had a massive rookie year. However, is that really a “breakout” year? Can you really “breakout” in your rookie year?
Besides, much bigger things are in store for him than what he did in Year 1. So in the end, that rookie year could be looked at as light work for Metcalf.
Last season, Metcalf racked up 58 receptions for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. The wide receiver was an absolute monster in his rookie year.
But wait, there's more. Look at the playoffs.
Sure, his second game against the Green Bay Packers was nothing special (four receptions for 58 yards). What about the first game though, against the Philadelphia Eagles? In that match, Metcalf racked up seven receptions for 160 yards and one touchdown. That's MASSIVE, and it's something fans can start expecting from him a bit more.
Metcalf now has a full year under his belt. He has one of the best quarterbacks in football in Russell Wilson throwing him the ball, too.
Not to mention Metcalf is not the only weapon. With other receivers, tight ends and running backs taking eyes off of him, Metcalf could find himself in quite a few favorable situations.
It's not crazy to think that 2020 could make Metcalf's 2019 season look bad in comparison. It might sound weird to say someone like Metcalf will “breakout” in 2020. However, it is certainly something worth watching.
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