The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos yesterday in their first game of the 2024 season, 26-20. They got especially strong games from the back end of their defense as well as the rushing attack led by Ken Walker.
Here are the team's six highest-graded players this week, according to Pro Football Focus.
LT Charles Cross
On offense the highest grade for the unit went to third-year left tackle Charles Cross. He posted a 94.8 overall grade, with a relatively strong mark for his pass blocking (79.5) and an absolutely absurd grade for his run blocking (96.1). Cross might be the team's most-improved player in 2024 if he can manage to keep this up.
WR Tyler Lockett
The second-highest grade for Seattle's offense went to veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who was pretty close to perfect. He led the team with 77 receiving yards and sealed the victory with an incredible one-handed catch on third down in crunch time. Lockett posted an 88.8 pass grade and a 90.3 overall.
FS Julian Love
On the other side of the ball the highest graded player was starting free safety Julian Love, who seems to be getting better every year he's in the NFL. Yesterday Love picked up where he left off from his first career Pro Bowl campaign, posting an interception to go with a team-high 12 tackles. PFF gave him grades over 90.0 in coverage as well as run defense and a 93.4 overall mark.
CB Devon Witherspoon
Love was far from the only standout in the Seahawks secondary against Denver, though. Star slot corner Devon Witherspoon also had himself a day, posting seven tackles and a pass breakup en route to an 85.3 overall grade. Spoon earned particularly high marks for tackling (80.2), run defense (85.3) and coverage (80.1).
CB Riq Woolen
Right boundary cornerback Riq Woolen was also impressive. In addition to the interception he posted against Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, Woolen had another pass breakup. For his efforts, PFF gave Woolen an 85.2 grade in coverage, the third-highest mark on the team. Woolen earned an 83.8 overall grade.
LB Jerome Baker
The second level of Seattle's defense was also on point. While middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson finished with 10 tackles and a 75.1 overall grade, weakside linebacker Jerome Baker earned an even better 80.0 grade from PFF. Baker had five tackles (one for a loss), a fumble recovery and and 85.3 grade in coverage.
