Seahawks Rookies Make Their Mark in Week 14 - Emmanwori Shines, Zabel Impresses
The Seahawks leaned heavily on their rookie class in Week 14’s win over the Falcons, with first-year players logging a combined 181 snaps. While some saw limited action or were sidelined entirely, others made the most of their opportunities - none more than Nick Emmanwori and Grey Zabel, who turned in standout performances on both sides of the ball.
Let’s break down the key contributions from Seattle’s rookie class.
Grey Zabel - Offensive Guard (61 snaps)
Zabel’s development took another encouraging step forward against Atlanta. He played every offensive snap and delivered what was arguably his most complete performance in pass protection to date. According to PFF, he earned an 82.5 pass-blocking grade - his highest of the season - and a solid 66.5 in run blocking.
The tape backs it up.
Early in one rep, Zabel gets driven back off the snap, but his recovery technique is textbook. He resets with short, efficient hops to re-anchor, absorbs the bull rush, and maintains balance. His hand placement is firm and consistent, keeping the pocket clean and giving the quarterback time to operate.
Where he really stood out was in handling stunts. His lateral quickness and communication with the tackle were spot-on.
He passed off the first rusher with ease, picked up the looper without hesitation, and didn’t waste a single step in the process. That’s high-level recognition for a rookie guard, and it speaks to how quickly he’s adjusting to NFL speed.
Zabel now has five games this season without allowing a pressure - a quietly impressive stat for a first-year lineman who wasn’t expected to be this steady this soon.
Nick Emmanwori - Defensive Back (58 snaps)
Emmanwori didn’t just show up - he took over.
Six tackles, three run stops, a sack, a blocked field goal, and his first career interception. It was the kind of all-around performance that puts a rookie on the national radar, and it’s no surprise he’s now firmly in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Let’s talk about how he did it.
Seattle deployed Emmanwori all over the field:
- 10 snaps on the defensive line
- 19 in the box
- 29 in the slot
That kind of versatility is rare, and Emmanwori is showing he can handle the mental load that comes with it. He was effective in every alignment, but his biggest plays came from his instincts and explosiveness.
Take the sack: he timed the blitz perfectly, with no wasted motion and a clear burst through the line. Tyrice Knight helped by occupying the guard and the running back, but Emmanwori’s ability to hit the gap cleanly and finish the play was all him.
His blocked field goal was a momentum-changer. It came right after a Sam Darnold interception and essentially erased what could’ve been a huge swing for Atlanta. He’d come close to blocking one earlier this year - this time, his timing was perfect.
The interception? Pure awareness.
He read the quarterback’s eyes, tracked the route entering the safety’s zone, and was in position when Devon Witherspoon tipped the ball. That’s a heads-up play and a great example of how Emmanwori is starting to put all the pieces together.
Even on his one rough rep - where he lost contact with the tight end while looking back for the ball - he was still in position. That’s a teachable moment, not a red flag.
What’s most exciting is how much more comfortable he looks processing plays in real time. On one snap, he adjusted mid-run to make a tackle after reading the block on the nose tackle. On another, he shifted pre-snap to account for motion, and the Falcons never adjusted - giving him a clean lane to the ball carrier.
This was a breakout game, plain and simple.
Elijah Arroyo - Tight End (7 snaps)
It was a short and disappointing outing for Arroyo, who left the game early with a knee injury after just seven snaps. He ran six routes and was targeted once - a throw that ended in an interception.
The play itself was tough to watch. Arroyo tried to sell a vertical route, but Falcons corner AJ Terrell mirrored him step for step and broke up the pass. The ball probably shouldn’t have been thrown in the first place, but the result was another turnover on a target to Arroyo - his fourth in recent weeks.
The knee injury adds another layer of concern. He had similar issues during the pre-draft process, and while the team hasn’t provided an update yet, it’s a development worth monitoring closely.
Nick Kallerup - Tight End (29 snaps)
With Arroyo sidelined, Kallerup saw his second-highest snap count of the season - and he made it count in the trenches. He brought a physical, aggressive edge as a blocker, helping pave the way in the run game.
The big question with Kallerup remains whether he can evolve into a receiving threat or if he’s destined to be a blocking specialist. For now, his value is coming from his toughness and willingness to do the dirty work.
Robbie Ouzts - Fullback (18 snaps)
Ouzts was active in the run game but had a costly moment, committing a holding penalty that wiped out a strong run by Ken Walker. It’s the kind of mistake you expect from a rookie, but one the coaching staff will want cleaned up quickly.
Bryce Cabeldue - Offensive Lineman (8 snaps)
Saw limited action, with no major plays or breakdowns. A quiet day, which for a depth lineman, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Inactive or Non-Participating Rookies
- Jalen Milroe - Inactive
- Mason Richman - Inactive
- Rylie Mills - Remains on the NFI list
- Tory Horton - Still on injured reserve
Final Thoughts
Nick Emmanwori’s Week 14 performance wasn’t just impressive - it was a statement. He’s playing faster, processing smarter, and delivering impact plays in all three phases: run defense, pass rush, and special teams. It’s no wonder he’s climbed to second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, trailing only Carson Schwesinger.
Grey Zabel continues to prove he belongs, anchoring the offensive line with poise and technique beyond his years. If he keeps stacking performances like this, he’s going to be a long-term fixture in Seattle’s trenches.
As for Elijah Arroyo, the injury is concerning, especially given his limited production so far. The Seahawks will be hoping for good news, but it’s clear his rookie season has hit a rough patch.
Seattle’s rookie class is starting to show its depth - and in Emmanwori’s case, its star power.