With the No. 56 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected D‘Wayne “Dee” Eskridge, a wide receiver out of Western Michigan.
Eskridge is going into his second season in the NFL and is looking to make a statement this year.
Although his stats don’t jump out on paper, he has one of the best 40-yard dash times at 4.38 seconds.
Eskridge capped off his WMU career by hauling in 34 passes for 784 yards and eight touchdowns over six games, adding 467 kickoff return yards and a score. The 24-year-old native of Bluffton, Ind. was named the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and was a first-team selection at receiver, also earning second-team All-American status from the Football Writer’s Association of America.
With the battle for the No. 3 receiver spot behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett open on the Seahawks’ offense, could Eskridge be in for a breakout year.
The 2022 Season Didn’t Go According to Plan
Eskridge suffered a concussion in week one of the regular season and was limited on his play for the year. 10 receptions for 64 yards isn’t anything flashy or groundbreaking, but not all rookies have breakout seasons.
Sometimes it takes one year to get accustomed to the league. He just needed time to build his confidence and have a “normal” year. OTA’s are a crucial point in the season for wide receivers to get into a rhythm with their quarterbacks. Whoever plays under center for Seattle will have a quick threat in Eskridge.
The Seahawks Receiving Core is Strong
DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Dee Eskridge, and Noah Fant are projected to get the most production for the Seahawks in terms of receiving yards. It is no question that the quarterback position is a question mark for the organization. But there are going to be reliable targets across the field.
If you look at where the team was a year ago, they had Russell Wilson drama, Russell Wilson injuries, and a questionable locker room. Now that Wagner, Russ, and several others are out of the picture, the Seahawks have a very young team.
Final Thoughts
Head Coach, Pete Carroll loves building up young players who are hungry, and that’s what you get with Dee Eskridge.
“It is really a statement about the teaching, we’ve done a nice job, the coaches have really been on it to get these guys prepared and learning,” Carroll said.
It’s an exciting time to be a Seahawk. The team will have a lot to prove. I firmly believe they are going to shock the league this year despite the loss of Russell Wilson.
Save a seat for Dee Eskridge in your Fantasy draft because he could be a sleeper pick that takes off.
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