The Seattle Seahawks have made some big changes to their wide receiver room this offseason, parting ways with two longtime veterans and bringing in some new talent in the NFL draft.
The Seahawks may not have room for all of the new additions, however, with one analyst predicting that a recent draft pick could land on the wrong side of the roster bubble. Rookie Ricky White III comes to the team with a big college resume and a penchant for special teams play, but Mookie Alexander of SB Nation’s Field Gulls believes he will fall just below the cut line at the end of the summer.
Battle for Last Spot on the Seahawks Roster
Alexander noted that the top of the wide receiver room in Seattle is set, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp at the top with Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the No. 3. Jake Bobo will provide depth with rookie Tory Horton and Steven Sims likely splitting time as return specialists, Alexander wrote.
That leaves White, the fellow rookie, without a spot on the roster.
“I’m leaving White off the team as a practice squad candidate, as much as I’m a fan of his special teams value,” Alexander predicted.
White is coming off a stellar college career, where he racked up 228 receptions for 3,366 yards with 24 touchdowns. His career was highlighted by an 88-catch, 1,483-yard season at UNLV in 2023.
The seventh-round pick earned some buzz coming out of college, with NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted that the UNLV product has some good traits — and some deficiencies.
“Productive inside/outside receiver with good instincts but below-average play strength,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s too easily knocked around and needs to play with better care for eluding trouble inside the route. White is smooth in space with an easy stride but won’t light it up with separation speed — though he does have a feel for positioning and adjustments to create late catch space.”
The Seahawks made some changes to their roster, parting ways with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in the offseason.
Another Seahawks Rookie Rises
While White could face a battle to earn a spot on the final roster, fellow rookie Horton has turned heads with his performance at training camp. Horton earned a good review from general manager John Schneider, who praised his ability to contribute both on offense and special teams.
“Tory is an underrated guy, in our opinion,” Schneider said, via the News Tribune. “I mean, he can return punts. The catch radius. He’s this long, competitive, very fast receiver.”
White didn’t have any returning experience coming into training camp, but has performed well since being thrust into the role.
“Yeah, kick return. It will be something new,” he said. “But right now, you know, I’m just kind of just doing everything out and, you know, wherever they got me, I’m trying to be the best I could be in that.”
Horton, who is coming off knee surgery last fall, said he has gotten into good routines.
“I work some mental breathing things,” Horton said. “I just kind of get some shut-eye and just get away from things for a little bit. “I just shut the (team-issued) iPad off and just close my eyes and just focus on deep breaths.”
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