Seattle Seahawks: DK Metcalf can stake his claim on rookie of the year

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has been phenomenal in his rookie season, and can stake his claim on rookie of the year vs. the 49ers.

Much was made — and understandably so — about DK Metcalf’s slow three-cone time at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, despite the fact that he had an otherwise other-worldly workout that would have made some of the best athletes in NFL history blush.

Metcalf looks like he was carved out of stone and can run as fast as just about anyone in the NFL. He can jump out of the building, and he can certainly throw the weights around in the weight room.

But when his short-area quickness came into question, many wondered whether he would ever become anything more than a deep threat in the NFL, or a guy who could take the occasional screen pass the distance.

Factor in his injury history, and we saw a top 10 talent fall to the bottom of the second round.

Metcalf’s fall on draft weekend was both stunning and stupid, especially in hindsight. Even for the Seattle Seahawks, who traded up get Metcalf at the point they drafted him, had already taken LJ Collier and Marquise Blair before drafting Metcalf.

Good for the Seahawks, I suppose.

The famous video of Metcalf getting his call from the Seahawks, asking through tears why the team waited so long, now has all of us asking all 32 teams in the NFL the same question — Why did you wait so long?

Metcalf isn’t necessarily eating up targets for the Seahawks, but he’s been a dynamic addition to their offense, he’s stayed healthy, and he’s on his way to offensive rookie of the year contention.

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is going to be tough to beat at this point, but Metcalf has put together a tremendous season in his own right.

DK Metcalf rookie stats (9 games — so far)

• 29 receptions
• 525 yards
• 18.1 yards per reception
• 5 touchdowns
• 21 first downs

How about that? 26 of Metcalf’s 29 receptions so far this season have resulted in a first down or a touchdown. He’s 121 yards away from matching his career high for a season — in college (646).

Metcalf has been an outstanding pickup for the Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson, one of the best downfield throwers in football. This was truly a match made in football heaven from the start, and regardless of where he was selected in the NFL Draft, the fact that Metcalf ended up in Seattle is probably the best case scenario for both parties.

He now has a chance on Monday Night Football to make a statement against one of the best teams in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seahawks are 7-2, taking on the 8-0 49ers, who have been one of the best teams in the NFL defensively this season. But the 49ers haven’t seen anyone like Wilson so far this season, and their top-ranked pass defense has not seen anything quite like DK Metcalf.

Coming off of his first career 100-yard game, Metcalf’s confidence is growing. He’s got 28 targets over the past four games, and is proving rather quickly that he’s more than just a gimmick for Seattle — he’s a featured player in their offense.

On the backside of their 2019 season, Metcalf has a chance to help get this team not only into the thick of contention for the NFC West, but he can also stake his claim on offensive rookie of the year with a big performance against the 49ers on Monday night.