The uncertainty is one of the best things about the NFL season every year. Mock drafts get busted, especially by the Seattle Seahawks; fantasy football can be a crapshoot even for the most knowledgeable; surprise teams become powerhouses, and surprise teams fall apart at the seams.
Football is unpredictable, influenced by many visible and invisible factors, and a game of momentum and waves. But you see, that's what makes it so beautiful.
Amid a shocking offseason, be ready for more surprises before we get to the preseason action in August. When the season finally gets rolling, some players/elements of the team could disappoint. Other elements will ignite, explode, and shine when introduced to the right catalysts. We may see some chemistry from players we did not see coming.
You can count on rookies like A.J. Barner, Byron Murphy II, Tyrice Knight, and even Christian Haynes to be given chances to really pop next year. How about the ones that are not yet being relied upon? What if one of them steps up to write their storyline? Who will be next year's Coby Bryant, Josh Jobe, or Sataoa Laumea, who comes out of nowhere to play inspired football?
Seahawks who would be welcome surprises if they pop in 2025
In reality, zero percent of NFL players come out of "nowhere", as these are the best of the best. Having said that, let's explore the relative no-names on the team. The guys with odds stacked against them, who are afterthoughts to most 12s.
It's not that fans don't love these guys. Each of their paths to stardom has many hurdles. It could be star players in front of them, previous years of non-impact, a small school pedigree, or a mix of factors.
Even so, who are the players who could make their mark on the 2025 Seattle Seahawks, despite what everyone's stock storylines are for the team? These would, of course, be welcome developments.
Jerrick Reed III - Seahawks safety
With all the speculation about drafting players like Nick Emmanwori, Malaki Starks, and Jahdae Barron, imagine if a third impact safety emerged from the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. This one is not so crazy, as John Schneider and Pete Carroll were very complimentary of Reed when he was drafted.
Schneider even went so far as to call him a "sleeper" during his rookie spotlight in '23. Plus, he already has a somewhat iconic locker room moment after Seattle pulled off an upset of the Detroit Lions a couple of years back.
Dareke Young - Seahawks wide receiver
These first two guys are bound by the common thread of coming from smaller schools to scrap and claw to grab a roster spot on Pete Carroll's final Seahawks squad. Neither are guaranteed roster spots this year, however.
Young is a strong, fast receiver who could mimic some of DK Metcalf's movements (but not necessarily his impact). Seattle would be overjoyed at a breakout from an unlikely source such as Young, since saying goodbye to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Kenny McIntosh - Seahawks running back
K. Mac. has seemed to impress whenever he's gotten any opportunity. He runs hard and wiggles with the ball in his hands. When Ken Walker III missed Week 14's pivotal matchup with the Cardinals, Zach Charbonnet had his coming out party, racking up 193 total yards. Easily forgotten, McIntosh took just seven carries for 38 yards on the ground, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Can he do it consistently enough to force his way onto the field? If whispers about K9's future materialize, he may not need to.
Cameron Young - Seahawks nose tackle
Possibly the most overlooked young man on this list, Cam Young was thought to be big, strong, and powerful when he was drafted. He has not gotten on the field very much in his career thus far, but Jarran Reed can't stick around forever (I don't think).
To get substantial contributions at the nose position on the defensive line would be a game-changer. It could be a factor that would facilitate the use of Byron Murphy II more and more on the outside... where he can really show off his athleticism.
