When the Seattle Seahawks drafted defensive end Rasheem Green in the third round of the 2018 draft out of USC, they knew he was a bit of a project.
After all, Green was one of the youngest draft-eligible prospects of all-time, getting selected two weeks before his 21st birthday – one of only 12 players to do so in history.
Green, understandably, didn’t see much action in his first NFL season. He appeared in 10 games and recorded nine combined tackles, including one sack.
However, coach Pete Carroll has long preached the importance of players taking the second-year leap – and Green’s recent performance is a perfect example of Carroll’s player development system functioning at 100 percent.
“We’re just really fired up that he’s been so physical and aggressive,” Carroll said on Friday. “He’s knocked two balls loose in the last couple of weeks. His confidence is soaring really, from where it’s been. His understanding of what’s going on, his style of play, he has really embraced. I think Clint [Hurtt] has done a great job with him of finding his game, and we’re trying to put him in a situation where he can be successful. I’m really excited to see him play again.”
Green has appeared in all 12 of Seattle’s games, starting five, and recorded 17 combined tackles, three sacks, one pass defended and three forced fumbles – including a crucial one against the Vikings on Monday Night Football.
Seattle’s defense took their time coming together this season, and Green’s emergence as a force up front has been a big part of their success. Seattle can utilize him on the inside and on the outside, and he has proven he has enough quicks and strength to impose his will on opposing offenses in both the running game and the passing game.
Still just 22, Green has a bright future ahead of him as an every down defensive lineman for this Seahawks team, and his performance down the stretch will be a big part of this team’s push for a first round bye in the playoffs.
[lawrence-related id=52359]