Seattle Seahawks: Boye Mafe gives Seahawks an edge
The Seattle Seahawks checked off one of their needs boxes by selecting an edge rusher in the recent draft. Here’s a look at Darrell Taylor’s new partner in crime, Boye Mafe.
The biggest needs for the Seattle Seahawks in the draft, not named quarterback, are left tackle and edge rusher. In the first round, they drafted their left tackle of the future, Charles Cross. Coming into the second round, it was up for debate on whether they’d take the best available edge rusher, quarterback, or cornerback.
“With their first pick in the second round, the Seattle Seahawks select Boye Mafe outside linebacker from Minnesota.”
We're fired up 🔥 @boye_mafe pic.twitter.com/B4JyMg4CRm
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 30, 2022
Quick Scouting Report
There were many 12’s who were excited by this selection. Maybe the most excited Seattle Seahawk is Darrell Taylor, who just got a brand new partner in crime to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Pronounced BOY-ay MAH-fay, the Seattle Seahawks’ newest edition comes in at 6’4” 261-pounds.
Mafe possesses quick get-off and finishing speed. He’s also equipped with a powerful punch to negate the outside hand of offensive tackles trying to latch on to him. In college, tight ends didn’t stand a chance against him. Hopefully, that carries over to the NFL.
“Mafe’s evaluation requires the evaluator to focus more closely on the flashes than just the play-to-play action. His combination of rare explosive measurables with average fundamentals could make for a perfect storm of rapid development once he gets focused skill work at the pro level. His footwork is average and he lacks desired instincts as a rusher, but pairing efficient hand work with twitchy upper-body power could turn him into a productive rush bully.” – Bob Candotta, Seattle Times.
His Fit with the Seattle Seahawks
Another thing Mafe offers is some defensive versatility. With the Seattle Seahawks deploying a 4-3 defense, Mafe will need to get more comfortable rushing the passer with his hand in the grass. At Minnesota, he rushed from an outside linebacker spot as they ran more of a 3-4 defense.
His selection means two things for the Seahawks and their recent free agent acquisition Uchenna Nwosu. First, he can’t relax now that he got his big contract and will be less under the microscope. Second, Seattle has an insurance plan if Nwosu’s 2021 season was an outlier.
Days are numbered
Seattle ranked 20th in pass rush win rate last year, which is a good reason why defensive end L.J. Collier found out this week that his time with the Seattle Seahawks is about to be over. With the signing of Nwosu and the drafting of Mafe, the Seahawks want to make sure they improve in 2022. The team let Collier know they wouldn’t be picking up his fifth-year option.
Related Story: Grading the Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft
What do you think about the Seattle Seahawks’ newest edge rusher Boye Mafe? Let us know in the comments section below.