The 2024 NFL preseason kicks into high gear today, will a full slate of games on the calendar. The Seattle Seahawks will be part of one of the later games, facing the Los Angeles Chargers on the road later this afternoon. (Kickoff is just after 7:00 p.m. Eastern time and 4:00 p.m. Pacific).
We already know that starting quarterbacks Geno Smith and Justin Herbert won't be playing in this one. Neither will Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, and it's unlikely we will get to see star Seattle receiver DK Metcalf on the field, either. Preseason games (especially the first one) are all about sorting out roster battles and evaluating rookies.
With that in mind, here are four under-the-radar rookies to keep an eye on for the Seahawks in tonight's game.
RB George Holani
Ken Walker, Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh are at the top of the team's depth chart at running back, but we expect to see a lot of action from the guys on the lower end of it. Specifically, the Seahawks are carrying three undrafted rookies at this spot: Kobe Lewis out of FAU, Kairee Robinson from San Jose State and George Holani out of Boise State. Holani looks like the most capable in the group, having averaged over five yards per carry in college and scoring 34 touchdowns from scrimmage. A good showing here might help him close the gap with McIntosh, who did not see one offensive snap as a rookie.
RG Christian Haynes
Seattle hasn't officially signed center Connor Williams yet, and it doesn't make a ton of sense to play the starting offensive line much, in any case. One backup who should see extensive playing time is third-round pick Christian Haynes out of UConn. He is slotted as second on the team's depth chart behind Anthony Bradford, who was their lowest-graded offensive lineman last season. Haynes is a bit undersized for a pro guard, but he has a genuine opportunity to prove himself and take over as the starter at right guard in Year 1.
CBs Nehemiah Pritchett, D.J. James
At cornerback the starting trio of Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Tre Brown are too valuable to risk much playing time during the preseason. Instead, fans should expect to see a healthy dose of the team's two rookies out of Auburn, fourth-round pick Nehemiah Pritchett and sixth-rounder D.J. James. Pritchett is playing behind Woolen on the right boundary, while James is in the rotation in the slot behind Spoon and Artie Burns. This cornerback room is strong overall on paper, but that's yet to be proven and we should learn a lot about their depth in this one.
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