The Seattle Seahawks wrapped up their two-day mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, which marked the conclusion of their offseason practice program.
Taste in food aside, Darnold gaining Seahawks’ respect
Rookies will hang around for a few more practices, but the veterans are now off for a six-week summer break before training camp begins on July 23.
What stood out Wednesday at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center? Here are a few highlights. Unless otherwise noted, all plays mentioned below occurred in 11-on-11 sessions.
CBs keep making their presence felt
Seattle’s first-team defense generally got the better of the first-team offense during OTAs and minicamp.
That was to be expected.
The Seahawks return nearly every key contributor from a defense that was a top-five unit over the second half of last season, while the offense underwent a massive overhaul this offseason and is still in the early stages of installing a new scheme.
In particular, Seattle’s secondary has consistently provided sticky coverage, leaving few openings for Sam Darnold & Co. to attack.
Perhaps the best example of that Wednesday came on a third-down play from the edge of the red zone. Darnold lofted a pass toward the right corner of the end zone for No. 1 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but standout cornerback Devon Witherspoon blanketed the 2024 breakout star with textbook coverage. Smith-Njigba tried to fight his way around Witherspoon to make a play on the ball, but ended up getting flagged for offensive pass interference.
Witherspoon, never one to shy away from talking smack, let himself be heard after the play.
Meanwhile, cornerback Riq Woolen also made an impressive play earlier in practice. Using his blazing speed, the 6-foot-4 Woolen broke hard and undercut an in-breaking route on an intermediate pass from Darnold to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Woolen ended up dropping the potential pick, but the sheer range he covered to break up the pass was certainly notable.
More Bobo
Third-year wideout Jake Bobo made a highlight-reel leaping catch on a sideline pass from backup quarterback Drew Lock, while making sure to get both feet inbounds to finish the reception.
Bobo also made a nice catch in the front corner of the end zone on a scramble drill during a 7-on-7 red-zone period, but the pass was ruled incomplete despite Bobo appearing to get both feet inbounds.
It capped what appeared to be a solid past two weeks of practice for Bobo, who figures to be part of a competitive battle for the final receiver spots on the 53-man roster.
Ouzts finds paydirt
Rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts, a fifth-round draft pick who played tight end at Alabama, hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Lock that prompted a celebratory “Oooooouzts!” yell from his teammates.
Ouzts is battling with third-year pro Brady Russell for Seattle’s fullback spot, which will be a regular part of the team’s offense for the first time since 2016. Ouzts and Russell are both in the process of transitioning to the position from tight end.
