Ted’s Discuss: Predicting Tyrice Knight’s rookie season with the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks had the second choose of the fourth spherical at No. 102 however traded again and added extra draft capital. Then, at No. 118, they went in opposition to the mock draft hive thoughts and selected linebacker Tyrice Knight from the College of Texas-El Paso. Knight is a tackling machine however will want loads of refinement to be a constant contributor on the NFL stage.

Athletic Profile/Comps

Relative Athletic Rating (RAS)

Mockdraftable

Hmm, there’s a theme right here that’s a bit regarding in that Knight is undersized for his place similar to Byron Murphy II and Christian Haynes. Possibly the brand new regime is massive on “Brief Kings” or need to construct a group with nice pure leverage!

Knight is an honest athlete total, however his RAS pace scores are nice, significantly the 1.59 second 10-yard cut up. His agility grade is simply “OK” which doesn’t encourage confidence contemplating the need for fast lateral actions at LB. Hey, no less than taking a look at his spider graph on Mockdraftable exhibits that he’s acquired an excellent wingspan for the place in order that’s one thing.

As for the comps, there’s one standout on Mockdraftable – Mike Macdonald’s former centerpiece in Baltimore, Roquan Smith. Don’t get too excited, although, as a result of a more in-depth look with RAS exhibits that despite the fact that they’re an analogous dimension, Smith is quicker practically cracking into the 4.4’s on his 40. We additionally don’t have shuttle or 3-cone scores to check which weren’t a power for Knight.

The RAS comparability for Knight and Lavonte David has extra substance.

Knight and David have near-identical dimension and the pace scores are additionally very, very shut. Whereas Knight is a bit stronger, David separates himself a bit within the shuttle…once more, doubtlessly necessary for the LB place. Though David solely had one Professional Bowl and one All-Professional season, he’s began all 181 video games he’s performed within the NFL and will surpass the 1,500 deal with mark this season. If Knight can have even half the profession of David, this could be an absolute steal.

Only for enjoyable, I discovered a number of former Seahawks LBs which can be in the identical RAS vary, athletically.

Though ought to we actually depend Iyiegbuniwe since he didn’t make the group in 2022 after being signed that offseason? And why did I keep in mind him and verify for the comp? I’m a sicko.

Intestine response to the choose

When Seattle traded again from No. 102, I used to be glad. There have been nonetheless loads of good gamers obtainable and the Seahawks had been capable of recoup a fifth-round choose. On the clock at No. 118, numerous these gamers I used to be eyeing had been nonetheless sitting on the board.

As Tyrice Knight’s title appeared on the display screen, my feeling was actually apathetic. I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t excited. It was “advantageous.”

Linebacker was a necessity and Seattle had met with Knight, so we knew he was on their radar. It wasn’t a stunning choose, aside from the truth that many individuals thought he can be drafted later. Clearly, that’s subjective since Seattle’s entrance workplace felt that Knight warranted that choice. Mike Macdonald minimize his enamel as a LB coach and Schneider seemingly deferred to him a bit with this choice. That, in itself, is no less than a little bit encouraging.

There are others, together with Senior Bowl Director and ex-Seahawks worker Jim Nagy, who’re additionally bullish on Knight.

Seattle wanted competitors on the LB place. There have been different choices on the board and but they most well-liked Tyrice Knight, who visited Seattle. All of it made sense, even when it didn’t have me leaping for pleasure.

Rookie season prediction

The Seahawks utterly remade the LB corps this offseason, bringing on Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson on one-year contracts. I’m anticipating them to be the starters when the common season opens in September. With their contract conditions, every might be enjoying for his or her potential future with the group.

Knight, alternatively, ought to have a safe roster spot for no less than years whereas he develops and can most likely be a pet mission for Mike Macdonald given his LB coach background.

This 12 months although? He’ll doubtless be relegated to particular groups and might want to earn snaps on protection. Preseason might be particularly necessary for his improvement as he learns a brand new system. Macdonald stated Knight will doubtless begin at WLB but in addition desires to work him at MLB. If Knight improves all through the season and earns the coaches’ belief, there’s a very good likelihood that the Seahawks will head into subsequent offseason with Knight as one of many beginning LBs together with certainly one of Baker or Dodson on a long term contract.

I might see a rookie season just like 2019 third-round choose Cody Barton, who was primarily a backup and particular teamer however began 2 video games attributable to harm late within the season. Knight might be a focus for everybody in preseason and can rack up the tackles whereas additionally trying overmatched at instances. He’ll begin the season as the highest backup LB and can end with 25 tackles and be concerned in 1 turnover on particular groups, be it a pressured fumble or fumble restoration.