Tag: boye mafe

Seahawks announce several roster moves ahead of 2022 training camp

Today the team announced several roster moves, including signing the remainder of their 2022 draft class.

The Seattle Seahawks reported to training camp at the VMAC in Renton today and will hold their first practice tomorrow.

The team has announced several roster moves, including signing the remainder of their 2022 draft class. Here’s a quick review of each transaction.

Seahawks EDGE Boye Mafe signs rookie contract

The Seahawks signed Boye Mafe on the same day the entire team is set to report for training camp.

The Seattle Seahawks inked pass-rusher and 2022 second-round pick Boye Mafe to his rookie contract on Tuesday, according to Mafe’s agent Mike McCartney. The 24-year-old will make roughly $9.4 million over four years on his first deal with the team.

Seattle drafted Mafe at 40th overall this offseason after he posted seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 12 games last season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The 6-foot-4, 261-pound prospect also ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

Mafe will compete with a stout group of outside linebackers to earn snaps. He joins a rookie class that included offensive tackle Charles Cross (ninth overall), running back Kenneth Walker (41st overall) and tackle Abraham Lucas (72nd overall), among others.

The Seahawks signed Mafe on the same day the entire team is set to report for training camp.

[listicle id=91544]

Why Seahawks fans should be excited about Boye Mafe

Breaking down what Minnesota edge defender Boye Mafe brings to the Seattle Seahawks

It’s been too long since the Seattle Seahawks had a consistent, dominant pass rusher off the edge, and that’s what they’re hoping they landed with second-round pick Boye Mafe.

The No. 40 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Mafe heads to Seattle after backing up his impressive film at Minnesota with a stellar performance at this year’s Senior Bowl. Even among some of the top prospects in the class, Mafe stood out in practice all week while in Mobile, and punctuated it by being one of the best players on the field during the all-star game itself.

In 2021, Mafe’s first year as a full-time starter for the Golden Gophers, he tallied 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 12 games. He finished his four-year career at Minnesota with 19.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

Mafe is a stout, well-built defender who can set the edge against the run, but excels when it comes to getting after the quarterback, thanks to his ideal combination of athleticism, explosiveness, and pass-rushing technique.

On a defense desperate for an impact player at such a premium position, Mafe should quickly earn a full-time starting job as a rookie, and could finally give the Seahawks an edge rusher who will strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.

[listicle id=637854]

Seahawks EDGE Tyreke Smith could earn himself key role in rookie year

After a successful college career, Seattle Seahawks EDGE Tyreke Smith could earn himself a key role in his NFL rookie season.

By most accounts, the Seattle Seahawks had a successful NFL draft this year and not only in the higher rounds. There is a solid chance a player or two drafted late could make a real impact this season.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports analyzed all 32 teams around the league, scouring for the late-round picks who could earn themselves roles in their rookie seasons. For Seattle, Trapasso selected fifth-round EDGE, Tyreke Smith.

“Smith was one of the most NFL-ready rushers in the entire draft class,” Trapasso writes. “I really believe that. From his size, length, bend, and most importantly veteran-caliber collection of pass-rushing moves, he had no business being available in the fifth round.”

“Seattle selected Boye Mafe in Round 2, so he’ll likely be the first priority for offensive lines to game plan to stop, but Smith is ready to hit the ground running, particularly as a pass-rusher, and will,” Trapasso asserted.

Smith, Mafe and the rest of the rookies will get their first real shot against the veterans this week when mandatory minicamp kicks off on Tuesday.

[lawrence-related id=90065]

[listicle id=89875]

Texans signing former Seahawks DE Rasheem Green to 1-year deal

The Texans are signing former Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green to a one-year deal, according to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network.

The Texans are signing former Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green to a one-year deal, according to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network.

Green was a third-round pick by Seattle in the 2018 NFL draft. He has appeared in 53 pro games, totaling 13.5 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. Green is coming off a career-best 2021 season, having posted 6.5 sacks and 15 QB hits. In addition to his pass rushing, he’s made a lot of splashy plays on special teams over the years.

However, the Seahawks are switching to more of a 3-4 base defense this year, which means they’re looking for a different kind of edge defender than most of the ones that were on the roster last year. So far they have released Benson Mayowa and Kerry Hyder Jr. and designated 2021 sack leader Carlos Dunlap as a post-June 1 cut.

Seattle has also brought in a few new names at this position. Uchenna Nwosu was their biggest-ticket item in free agency this year. They also used two draft picks on this spot – taking Minnesota’s Boye Mafe in Round 2 and Ohio State’s Tyreke Smith in Round 5.

They may not be done adding pieces here, yet. The team recently hosted free agent Mario Addison for a visit.

[lawrence-related id=88139]

[listicle id=88950]

Seahawks: Reviewing all 9 of their picks in the 2022 NFL draft

Here is a review of all nine selections the Seattle Seahawks made over the last three days.

The 2022 NFL draft has come to an end.

Here is a review of all nine selections the Seattle Seahawks made over the last three days.

Seahawks double down on 2 premium positions in fifth round of 2022 NFL draft

The Seattle Seahawks are doing things differently in the NFL draft this year.

Whether it’s the influence of associate head coach Sean Desai or something in the water of Lake Washington, the Seattle Seahawks are doing things differently in the NFL draft this year. Instead of their usual reaches for off-ball linebackers and guards, the team has for the most part stuck to taking the best players available at premium positions outside of quarterback.

With their two selections in the fifth round, Seattle doubled down at two of them. First, they chose lanky UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen at No. 153 overall despite just having drafted Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant in Round 4. Then, they followed that by taking a second EDGE prospect in Ohio State’s Tyreke Smith after selecting Minnesota’s Boye Mafe in the second round.

The Seahawks did pick a running back too early by taking Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III at No. 40. However, by and large this is a good strategy for the modern game. Seattle fans should be pleased with the results so far.

[lawrence-related id=88832,88816]

[listicle id=88756]

Seahawks great Cliff Avril shares shoutout for Boye Mafe

Here’s Cliff Avril’s shoutout for the newest member of the defensive line.

Some Seahawks legends have been making themselves available to the team’s draft picks over the last couple days. Seattle’s GOAT left tackle Walter Jones has taken the time to talk with Charles Cross and both Shaun Alexander and Rashaad Penny have welcomed Kenneth Walker III to the squad.

One of the Seahawks’ best pass rushers of all time is welcoming the team’s second-round draft pick, Minnesota EDGE Boye Mafe. Here’s Cliff Avril’s shoutout for the newest member of the defensive line.

The most interesting pro comp we’ve seen for Mafe comes from Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire, who gave him some very-high praise by likening him to Seahawks legend Michael Bennett.

[lawrence-related id=88749]

[listicle id=88241]

Seahawks Day 2 picks all have ridiculous Relative Athletic Scores

Here are the Relative Athletic Scores for the three draft picks Seattle has made tonight.

Athletic testing isn’t everything when it comes to winning in the NFL. Quandre Diggs has proven that much. That said, having above-average athleticism certainly doesn’t hurt and the Seattle Seahawks did pretty damn well in this department on Day 2.

Here are the Relative Athletic Scores for the three draft picks Seattle has made tonight.

Pick No. 40: Minnesota EDGE Boye Mafe: 9.91

Pick No. 41 Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III: 9.24

Pick No. 72: Washington State RT Abraham Lucas: 9.73

The results are always a coinflip at best when it comes to NFL prospects. This is good process, though – even if there’s another early RB.

[lawrence-related id=88705]

[vertical-gallery id=87903]

2022 NFL draft: Twitter reactions to Seahawks picking Boye Mafe

Here are the top Twitter reactions to the selection.

The Seattle Seahawks began their second round with a rare set of back-to-back picks. The first of which was defensive end Boye Mafe from the University of Minnesota, at the No. 40 overall selection.

Perhaps the only unit on the Seahawks more critiqued than the offensive line has been the defensive line. Despite some late season surges in 2020 and 2021, the defensive line has routinely struggled to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable.

Mafe fills a major need for the Seahawks and Seattle wasted little time addressing it. Here are the top reactions to the selection: