Who will be the next Seahawks player to get their 1st Pro Bowl nod?
Jan 24, 2020, 12:29 PM | Updated: 12:32 pm
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The Seahawks will have a significant presence at the Pro Bowl on Sunday, thanks to quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Shaquill Griffin playing on the NFC squad that is being led by Seattle’s coaching staff.
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It’s Griffin’s first trip to the NFL’s annual version of an all-star game, getting the call earlier this week after initially being selected as an alternate. That’s an exciting prospect for Seahawks fans as it signals the development of a new star on the team. But looking ahead, who could be the next Seahawks player to make their first appearance in a Pro Bowl?
Jake Heaps, who is in Orlando for the Pro Bowl festivities, had a few names go through his mind when asked that question Thursday on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Tom, Jake and Stacy. The names all have one thing in common, too – they are pass-catchers in the Hawks’ offense.
First up is Tyler Lockett, who actually has played in a Pro Bowl before but only as a returner on special teams. Heaps said he thought Lockett was on his way this season as a receiver, but he was slowed by a leg injury and illness in midseason and didn’t make the cut even though he led the Seahawks with 1,057 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Then there is DK Metcalf, who had a stellar rookie campaign and a huge showing in the postseason.
Neither Lockett not Metcalf is who Heaps landed on for his final answer, though.
“The other one I would keep an eye out for is Will Dissly,” Heaps said.
The second-year tight end was off to a Pro Bowl-worthy start to his 2019 season, catching 23 passes on 27 targets for 262 yards and four touchdowns in six games – and all of those stats except for one target came in the first five games of the year. Dissly suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 6, which was the second time in as many seasons a leg injury ended his campaign before midseason.
“Before he got hurt, I thought he was on his way to having a Pro Bowl-type season,” Heaps said. “Unfortunate for him, obviously we’ve talked about his injury, but I think if he can remain healthy for an entire season – which is an ‘if’ at this point – he’s got all the potential and ability to absolutely be a Pro Bowl type of player.”
Heaps answered that and a few more questions during the Four-Down Territory segment, which you can find in the podcast embedded below or at this link beginning at the 13:20 mark.
Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Tom Wassell, Stacy Rost and Jake Heaps on Twitter.
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