Miami Hurricanes In The NFL: Offensive Rookie Paths To Playing Time

TE Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks

Arroyo currently sits behind Noah Fant on the Seahawks' depth chart after being selected in the second round of the draft. However, the writing is on the wall for Fant. There have already been whispers of the team moving on from him earlier in the offseason, and now the team spent a second-rounder on a tight end with a similar skill set, just cheaper and more explosive. It would be a surprise if Arroyo isn't the starting tight end in Seattle by 2026, if not sooner. 

OL Jalen Rivers, Cincinnati Bengals

Currently, Rivers is projected as the backup left tackle behind Orlando Brown Jr on the Bengals' depth chart. However, Rivers has an easy path to being a starter because he can essentially serve as the backup to every lineman other than the center because of his versatility. If he performs up to his ability in Cincinnati, we'd expect to see him starting as soon as anyone gets injured. 

RB Damien Martinez, Seattle Seahawks

Slipping to the seventh round makes this task a bit more difficult for Martinez. Still, it's not quite as complicated as you might think. He is currently behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet on the depth chart, with Kenny McIntosh in the mix with him. We will focus on Walker and Charbonnet because if he can't beat out McIntosh, then he won't be on the roster very long anyway. It will be tough for him to take that job this season, barring injuries, but Walker's contract is up after this season, and it's unlikely the Seahawks will pay him what he wants next offseason. All Martinez will have to do is overtake Charbonnet, whose contract is up after the 2026 season.  

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