Despite trading away franchise superstar QB Russell Wilson in the offseason, the Seahawks shockingly finished the 2022/23 NFL season with an impressive record of 9-8 and a playoff berth, which has now left many to anticipate an exciting follow-up campaign with a new wave of sublime talent to keep a watchful eye on.
Seattle fans are already expressing their excitement surrounding their opening NFL weekend matchup of the LA Rams vs. Seahawks their NFC West division rivals due to the amount of young and experienced players that both rosters have acquired over the last two years.
The Wilson trade has ironically helped put Seattle back on the radar of perennial postseason contention as Pete Carroll’s team is bursting with exciting prospects that make up a collectively intriguing core of talent.
The NFL odds suggest the Seahawks are 50/50 to make it to this season’s playoffs so they will need to get the best out of players like quarterback Geno Smith, the winner of the Comeback Player of the Year.
— Who is favored to win Rams vs Seahawks? Check Betting Tips and More —
Here are a few other names Rams fans should be aware of heading into Sunday’s Rams vs. Seahawks game.
Key Seattle Players To Watch: Week 1- Rams Vs. Seahawks
- Kenneth Walker III (RB):
After being selected with the 41st pick in the second round of last year’s draft, there were many eyebrows raised surrounding the Seahawks’ choice to choose a running back despite some glaring holes across the field that forced Seattle to let go of Wilson for what was anticipated to be a full-scale rebuilding process.
However, after a comeback season for the ages by long-time backup QB Geno Smith as well as the outstanding services by the rookie running back, Seattle made the playoffs to the surprise of everyone and proved that they are now in contention of harboring the best young core in the entire league.
Walker had a rookie campaign for the ages as he rushed for 1,055 yards, scoring nine touchdowns as well as showcasing that he is also a talented pass catcher as he racked up 27 receptions on 165 receiving yards.
The second-round selection narrowly missed out on being named as offensive rookie of the year, with New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson taking home the award, yet Walker is well-and-truly in the conversation as one of the top young players in the league today and is arguably already a top ten player in his position.
Walker’s production on the field is only expected to increase with further development as head coach Pete Carroll is already showering the second-year starlet with a multitude of high praise as well as claiming that he is more than capable of playing for “all three downs” which has further highlighted his continuous production after leaving college.
- Devon Wetherspoon (CB):
As a part of the aforementioned Russell Wilson trade, the Denver Broncos sent over a plethora of draft picks which even included their first-round selection for the 2023 draft, from which Seattle was able to snag Illinois Cornerback Devon Wetherspoon with the fifth overall pick.
The six-foot tall corner established himself as the best defensive back prospect in the entire NCAA during his four-year spell with the Fighting Illini as he racked up 42 total tackles, 33 solo, and three interceptions whilst rushing for 97 yards during his senior season.
Seattle has been searching for their next superstar corner to fill the shoes of the legendary Richard Sherman, who of course was a central figure of the ‘Legion of Boom’ defense that won the franchise-only Superbowl back in 2013, with many draft analysts already proclaiming that this pick was an instant success for the continued rejuvenation of Seattle’s once feared defense.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR):
Many NFL fans and analysts were shocked when the formally predicted top ten pick receiver Jaxon Smtih-Njigba fell to the Seahawks at the 20th pick, with many teams reportingly being impressed by the Ohio State receiver following a stupendous collegiate career and draft combine performance.
Smith-Njigba was seemingly unstoppable as a Buckeye during his sophomore season as he completed 95 receptions for an astounding 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns, but would, unfortunately, miss a large sum of his junior season after suffering a hamstring injury which forced him out of the NCAA playoffs.
Despite the slight injury woes, Seattle wasted no time in snatching up the highly ranked receiver with their own draft pick from their 2023 season performances, with the six-foot-tall pass catcher already impressing NFL fans during preseason.
However, it is now being reported that Smith-Njigba will likely play in the opening week of the NFL season despite suffering a wrist injury. This means the Rams defense will get the first look at what this highly touted young star can do at the NFL level, which could result in a lethal pairing alongside fellow wide-out DK Metcalf.