Energy has been building in Seattle, and the Seahawks got a fresh jolt after their first full padded practice to close out July. One of the loudest buzzes around camp belongs to second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo, who is making a strong impression on coach Mike Macdonald and developing more chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson said Arroyo has been the standout through the first stretch of practices.
“Arguably no Seahawks player has stood out in any of the first seven practices of camp as much as Elijah Arroyo did Saturday. The second-year tight end was the clear star on a good day for the offense,” Henderson began.
The production came in a few different forms, and Arroyo showed off the concentration that helped make him a day two NFL Draft pick out of Miami.
“It started in a red zone one-on-one period. When he caught touchdown passes on a high-point fade and a toe-tapper in the back of the end zone,” Henderson wrote.
He kept rolling after that. During the team period, Darnold found Arroyo wide open down the field for another score.
“In the subsequent team period, Sam Darnold hit a wide-open Arroyo down the field for another score,” the insider added. “It was a strong follow-up to Arroyo’s performance Friday. Which was highlighted by a long reception on a deep throw from QB3 Jalen Milroe.”
Seattle is going to need more of that version of Arroyo as the season moves forward. He flashed his upside with 15 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown, and he has the kind of skill set that could make a dangerous pairing with starting tight end AJ Barner, especially when the Seahawks want to line up in 12 personnel.
There’s also a new wrinkle in the offense. Seattle is working through the early stages with offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, who replaced Klint Kubiak after he took the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job.