2022 Pacific Northwest Sports Top 10: Number 9 – D.K. Metcalf
Chris Phillips
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Why he’s just ok
AE: Lockett actually drew more high safety help last year, and his career averages are skewed because in his first few seasons he was primarily a returner and the third option behind Doug Baldwin/Jermaine Kearse. In the last 3 seasons, he’s gained more yards, had comparable touchdown totals, and a significantly better catch% than Metcalf. Lockett also can be used on slants, go routes, digs, and in the slot.
Metcalf is almost strictly a go-route guy. Results in a few big plays when he gets behind a defense or coverage is broken but limits what he can do, and is the reason he’s easier to shut down. Lockett also had 5 100-yard games to Metcalf’s 1 and outgained him while missing a decent amount of time. Last year teams were content to put their top corner on Metcalf and to use safety help and a corner on Lockett most of the time.
And this isn’t factoring in his childish fits on the sidelines and dumb penalties on the field every few games. As far as the stunting, when the defense figured out how to defend the deep ball to Metcalf his production and the offenses fell off dramatically and never got back on track.
At the end of the day, I just don’t see how he’s one of our top 10 top performers or newsworthy figures in the Pacific Northwest. You could make a case that Rashaad Penny, Jamal Adams, and even Drew Lock are more intriguing going into the season just from the Hawks roster alone, without even touching on the other sports teams in the market. Metcalf is a totally adequate player and that’s about it.
The trick ➡️ the treat ?
Touchdown, @dkm14!
?: #JAXvsSEA on CBS pic.twitter.com/ksQSpVcicw
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 31, 2021
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