Preseason game one is in the books with a lovely tie (and another missed extra point from our overpaid kicker). This game did not change my mind about much. The defense looks like they are set up to be a wrecking crew when the real games start. The offense looks to actually have a running game.

QB:

QB Drew Lock had 147 yards passing going 12 for 22 with a TD and an INT. The line looked vastly improved, frequently providing Lock with as much time as he wanted to make his reads. QB Jalen Milroe continues to look better than he did at the Senior Bowl. Maybe it was just nerves? I am not saying he will challenge QB Sam Darnold for snaps, but he went 6 for 10 and had 61 yards passing and 38 running on 3 rushes. Lock also had 3 rushes but for 4 yards. Milroe may challenge to be a clear number 2 option and let Seattle leave Lock inactive on game days.

I am making a minor tweak to my thoughts on offensive line; LT Chris Cross, LG Grey Zabel, OC Jalen Sundell, RG Anthony Bradford, RT Abe Lucas. I think center is OC Olu Oluwatimi's to lose, but I think Sundell can rise quickly especially partnered with Zabel. I am moving Bradford over RG Christian Haynes based on play and number of snaps. All-in-all, this seems to be working.

RB:

RB George Holani averaged nearly 9 yards per carry on 7 carries and had a touchdown. He was the best rusher on the field other than Milroe. With RB Kenny McIntosh looking like he will start the season on injured reserve, this actually has meaning for fantasy coaches. Holani is the early favorite to be the 3rd back and maybe steal some goalline carries. But imagine if it had been RB Kenny Walker on the field with the holes and time the line was creating? He should be moving up every draft board with RB Zach Charbonnet as a handcuff.

WR:

No surprises here either. WR Troy Horton should have been the best receiver on the field and he was. He had 3 catches for 31 yards. He should be a lock to make the team especially since he is the punt returner too. There were just 18 total receptions to go around so not much stood out from a fantasy perspective other than that a higher proportion than usual went to tight ends.

TE:

TE Elijah Arroyo hit the ground running. I thought he was not supposed to be able to block? He looked just fine in this one. He only had 2 catches on the day for 17 yards but you could see all the potential. TE AJ Barner is the logical fantasy pick, but Arroyo is the high ceiling one. I would pick him as late as your fantasy draft allows.

PK:

We are stuck with PK Jason Myers and his massive contract. He had a 48 yard field goal and then made 2 of 3 extra points which in a tie game makes him a dog. And not the good kind.

Defense:

I am so going to love watching this defense this year. I know the stat sheet shows just one interception and one sack and no one over 4 tackles, but you just see what these guys are going to bring already. I mean NS Nick Emmanwori has a stat line that shows just one tackle, but the dude was fun to watch. He can really accelerate to the quarterback. We still have a ways to go before we have the real games going, but this year is looking up.

Go Hawks!

End.