THREAD: D.K. Metcalf

1/ In my latest video breakdown I wanted to take a deep dive into Metcalf's rookie season looking at what he did well and what he still needs to work on. He's a perfect fit as the #Seahawks X-receiver and should only get better.

2/ Here's my piece on @FieldGulls as well accompanying this video. #Seahawks https://www.fieldgulls.com/2020/7/3/21312236/dk-metcalf-seattle-seahawks-film-room-highlights-rookie-season-doubters-wrong-wilson

3/ The one thing that really stood out to me about Metcalf was the trust that he's developed with Russell Wilson. Backshoulder fades and deep scramble drill bombs were common place even from the start of the season. Love to see it. #Seahawks

4/ Here's another example of that trust. Love the placement by Russell Wilson here. It really shows how much Metcalf was believed in by the #Seahawks' coaching staff to make plays.

5/ Metcalf ran the slant/quick-in route on 15 of his targets this season (13.2%). I love how he stems his routes. Knows how eat the cushion between himself and his defender in order to create the two-way go. This is what creates separation. #Seahawks

6/ Here's another example of a slant route vs the Vikings. Perfect example of "stepping on toes". I love the jab step to the outside while he opens his hips. Picks up a key first down on a third-and-short. #Seahawks

7/ Another route that Metcalf ran a ton of from the outside was the hitch. Ran this on 22% of his targets and caught 17/25 passes for 218 yards. Shows his physicality and a nice arm swipe to get open here. #Seahawks

8/ For the crowd that thinks Metcalf lacks agility to turn on hitches, he's definitely worked on the footwork. Turns in all of 3 steps to fully flip his hips. Love the initial release to fake the fade to open the throwing window inside. #Seahawks

9/ Fades made up 26% of his targets this season where he collected 212 yards + 3 touchdowns. Metcalf typically tracks the ball really well in the air and can clearly be a play-maker when he gets one-on-one match-ups. #Seahawks

10/ Love this stop-n-go up the sideline. How he adjusts at the end to catch the ball for the perfectly placed pass by Russell Wilson is A++. This was in overtime and the #Seahawks won the game two plays later against the Bucs.

11/ For improvements: Release footwork can still get better in terms of creating initial hesitation both in horiz + vert directions. Feel like he still relies on speed to win at times and if DB is patient they can sometimes see through it. #Seahawks

12/ Game against Cardinals Week 16 wasn't pretty... Patrick Peterson played star coverage on him and shut him down

Yes, Patrick Peterson is incredible but it was very one-sided. Feel like he saw through those release footwork I said above. #Seahawks

13/ Drops are the other major improvement area for Metcalf. Dropped 8 of his 66 catchable targets (12%). This is well above average. Needs to get better at connecting his hands to body outside of his frame I feel like. #Seahawks

14/ To wrap this up: Metcalf showed some VERY high quality traits w/ the #Seahawks in his rookie season. I like him a lot. He made some spectacular plays and was relied upon for most of the season. REALLY excited to see him progress into his 2nd year.

15 (Bonus)/ Here are some of my favorite plays and camera angles from this season for Metcalf. I showed these already on my timeline a few days ago, but man... they are beautiful. They deserve to be on this thread too lol. #Seahawks