JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: Seahawks’ DK Metcalf adds to his legend with track appearance

May 10, 2021, 1:12 PM

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf...

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf ran a 10.37-second 100-meter dash on Sunday. (AP)

(AP)

How did Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf slip to the last spot in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft?

Heaps: DK Metcalf will solidify himself as superstar WR in 2021

He’s a freak. He proved it in his rookie season when he learned the Seahawks offense and caught 58 passes for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. Metcalf proved he was a freak last year when he voted into the Pro Bowl after catching 83 passes for 1,303 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.

What he did Sunday added to his legend. With no track experience he completed for a spot in the Olympics. Though he finished ninth in his group of nine potential Olympians, Metcalf ran a 10.37-second 100-meter dash.

Watch: DK Metcalf runs 100M at USATF Golden Games

He finished 15 out of the 17 completing sprinters. Still, he stunned everyone by getting the 10.37 when many thought he would do a 10.5 or a 10.6.

Metcalf wowed everyone at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, had a 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 11.2-foot broad jump. He’s 6-foot-4, 229 pounds. Those are incredible number for a player of that size. In high school he did participate in track and field. In his senior year, he finished second in the state of Mississippi in the high hurdles and the triple jump. What he didn’t do was the sprints. He had no track experience in college.

What’s good for the Seahawks is that he isn’t going to go to the Olympics and he said he’s getting ready for the mandatory minicamp in mid-June. His track career is over for now.

From Bob Hayes to Willie Gault to former Seahawk Michael Bates to former Los Angeles Ram Ron Brown to Jim Hines to James Jett, the NFL has had Olympic sprinters who had great NFL careers. There haven’t been many of late, but Metcalf proved he is one the most unique athletes in the NFL.

It’s still amazing to think teams let him slip to the 64th pick because he didn’t do well in the cone drills and the shuttle. What a mistake.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network came out Monday with an interesting note. He noted in the last 10 years, there have been more Pro Bowl receivers taken in the second round than in the first. He counted 12 second-rounders who made the Pro Bowl. He noted former Seahawks Josh Gordon made it once. He counted seven Pro Bowl wide receivers taken in the first round and four in the third round. He didn’t include receivers who made the Pro Bowl on special teams. Tyler Lockett made it as a return specialist.

The previous administration of the Green Bay Packers drafted Randall Cobb and Davante Adams in the second round. Five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry was a second round pick. And then there’s DK Metcalf. He’s been to one. He will go to more. Eventually, he’ll end up as one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league.

Follow John Clayton on Twitter.

The John Clayton Memorial Fund

Benefitting the Multiple Sclerosis Society

The Professor's Notes

John Clayton hosted a daily video breaking down the NFL

John Clayton

John Clayton Memorial Fund...

No Author

John Clayton Memorial Fund benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Seattle Sports and Bonneville International are honored to announce the “John Clayton Memorial Fund.” The John Clayton Memorial Fund will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf...

John Clayton

Clayton: What’s next for Seahawks after kicking off ‘major’ rebuild

After some major moves, John Clayton breaks down what the next things to watch for with the Seahawks are heading into the new league year.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson...

John Clayton

Clayton: Won’t be easy for Seahawks to replace Wilson after surprising trade

After a surprising trade he never thought would happen, John Clayton shares his immediate reaction to the Seahawks' trade of Russell Wilson.

2 years ago

Seahawks Action Green...

John Clayton

Clayton: Why you shouldn’t worry about salary cap with Seahawks this offseason

Seahawks fans and followers are worried about how they can re-sign players and stay under the salary cap. John Clayton says they shouldn't be.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll...

John Clayton

Clayton: The big news from Seahawks, NFC West as combine begins

Wednesday was a big news day for the Seahawks and the NFC West. John Clayton breaks down what's going on in Seattle's division.

2 years ago

Seahawks Rashaad Penny Russell Wilson Chris Carson...

John Clayton

Clayton: How RBs in NFL Draft should help Seahawks this offseason

The Seahawks should be looking to bring Rashaad Penny back, but a loaded class of running backs is likely to help them in a few ways.

2 years ago

Clayton: Seahawks’ DK Metcalf adds to his legend with track appearance