Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks rookie snap count dropped significantly in Week 15, with the group combining for 137 total snaps. That decrease is largely explained by two offensive rookies landing on Injured Reserve (Elijah Arroyo and Tory Horton), Rylie Mills being eased back in with fewer than 10 snaps after a long injury absence, and Robbie Ouzts being a somewhat unexpected inactive.
In total, only four rookies saw the field, and just two played more than 10 snaps. As a result, the All-22 review is heavily centered on Grey Zabel and Nick Emmanwori.
From an All-22 perspective, this was Zabel’s roughest outing of the season in pass protection, allowing four pressures — matching his Week 2 performance against Pittsburgh. The struggles were not isolated; Charles Cross also had one of his least effective games of the year, and several of Zabel’s losses came in situations where the left side failed to function cohesively.
In the run game, Zabel still flashed the traits that made him a Day 1 pick. He was effective at times on first-level blocks, generating displacement or taking efficient angles. The recurring issue showed up on second-level execution. Zabel was late climbing or failed to square up linebackers, a problem that has affected the offensive line as a whole throughout the season.
On one representative snap, Zabel and Cross attempt a double-team but never establish control. Zabel is slow transitioning to the second level, which leaves the linebacker free to scrape and make the tackle. Even with Cross struggling, the timing of Zabel’s climb exacerbates the result.
Pass protection is where the tape is most concerning. Against J.T. Tuimoloau, Zabel repeatedly struggled with inside counters. On one snap, Tuimoloau attacks the inside gap to set up a spin move. Zabel fails to land meaningful contact, forcing a hurried throw.
Later, Tuimoloau wins with a bull rush, quickly collapsing the pocket. Zabel attempts to compensate by leaning forward, opening himself up to a clean push-and-pull counter. Darnold avoids the sack, but the rep is a clear loss.
There are, however, encouraging developments on tape. Zabel has incorporated more jump sets in the second half of the season, and they show up here. While not every rep results in a win, the jump set helps disrupt pass-rush timing and prevents defenders from executing their planned moves cleanly.
One snap stands out where Zabel pairs a jump set with independent hands, landing first contact and finishing the rep with the defender on the ground. That sequence reflects tangible growth in both confidence and technique.
Another positive rep highlights his best trait: footwork. Zabel stays square laterally, maintains leverage, and uses proper hand placement to defeat a swipe attempt. Even in a down game, the baseline traits remain visible.
Emmanwori’s All-22 continues to be extremely impressive. He finished with 7 tackles, 6 run stops, 1 sack, and 2 passes defensed, allowing just 2 catches...
