NFL expert drops a dose of disrespect on Seahawks star DK Metcalf

There are lots of national pundits predicting the Seattle Seahawks to have fewer wins this year than in the previous two. This appears unfair because Seattle changed its coaching staff in hopes of having a more positive direction, but a lot of the talent that has been around for back-to-back 9-8 seasons is still playing for Seattle. The team being worse seems illogical.

One position group that usually does get a bit of respect for Seattle is the wide receivers. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are normally ranked among the best receiver trios in the league, if not the best. The biggest reason for that is Metcalf. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023, and he was fifth in yards per reception and eighth in touchdown catches.

Would one say that Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith is the better player? Metcalf had more touchdowns, more receiving yards, and nearly four more yards a catch than Smith in 2023. Metcalf played on an offense with a worse offensive line than the Eagles and a worse offensive design.

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco doesn’t care about that last part. In his recently released ranking of the top 100 players in the NFL Metcalf ranks behind Smith. Metcalf does not show up on the list at all. Smith is 82.

There are 17 wide receivers in the top 100. None named DK Metcalf. But wait, it gets worse. After the top 100, Prisco has another 50 players listed as honorable mention but there is no Metcalf there either, which means that Metcalf is not among Prisco’s top 150 players. That is ridiculous, especially as listed among the honorable mentions are nine more wide receivers so, according to Prisco, Metcalf is not a top 25 receiver.

The assumption can only be that Pete Prisco has a personal vendetta against Metcalf or the Seahawks receiver would be on Prisco’s best-of list. The omission of Metcalf only proves Prisco’s ranking has little value.

Metcalf was not the only Seahawk left off the list. Geno Smith was as well, and so was running back Kenneth Walker III. No Leonard Williams or Tyler Lockett either.

The only member of the Seahawks organization to make the list was cornerback Devon Witherspoon at number 74. Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears was ranked higher at 34. Johnson was great in 2023, but in his first three seasons, he allowed a higher quarterback rating and higher completion percentage when targeted than Witherspoon did in his rookie season. Johnson also missed more tackles.

At least DK Metcalf doesn’t need to worry whether CBS Sports’ Prisco does not like him specifically. Prisco just appears to dislike the Seahawks as a whole.

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