DK Metcalf is a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks and was selected No. 64 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Born in Oxford, Mississippi, Metcalf totaled 224 receptions for 3,3302 yards and 49 touchdowns during his time at Oxford High School. He eventually enrolled at Ole Miss as a four-star prospect in their 2016 recruiting class. Metcalf suffered a season-ending foot injury as a true freshman, but returned as a redshirt freshman to go for 39-646-7 in 2017. In 2018, he caught 26 passes for 569 yards and five touchdowns before declaring for the NFL Draft.
Metcalf was one of two athletic freaks (with AJ Brown) to come out of Ole Miss during the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite a 4.33 40-time (98th-percentile), 133.3 Speed Score (100th-percentile) and 135.9 burst score (98th-percentile), Metcalf turned in a poor 11.88 (4th-percentile) Agility Score. Scouts and analysts alike thought that Metcalf’s lack of agility would negatively impact him against the NFL’s elite corners, but he went 58-900-7 as a rookie, impressive even while he only cracked the century-mark in yards once in the regular season. The former second-round pick saved his best rookie performance for the playoffs when he and the Seahawks met the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round. Metcalf went for 7-160-1 on nine targets in a 17-9 win.
Metcalf erupted in year two for the Seahawks, going for 83-1303-10, finishing No. 10 in fantasy points per game (17.0) and No. 2 among receivers in Air Yards (1,783). In his third season with the Seahawks, Metcalf eclipsed the century mark in yards just once. Russell Wilson suffered a finger injury which sidelined him for multiple games in the middle of the season. Even when Wilson returned, Metcalf did not return to his previous production ceiling. From Weeks 10 to 18, he eclipsed 12.1 fantasy points just once, and scored less than double-digit fantasy points in four out of nine contests. He was continued to get opportunities downfield, ranking No. 3 in Deep Balls (30) and No. 6 in Air Yards (1,605).
Geno Smith was Seattle's starter during 2022 and Metcalf posted a career-high 90 receptions on 141 targets for 1,048 receiving yards. Dropped passes were a concern, as he was No. 2 in drops among receivers with nine. Jaxon Smith-Njigba brings added target competition, but Metcalf once again was the clear target hog in 2023. Metcalf finished the 2023 season with a 22.9% target share and a top ten finish with 39.1% Air Yards Share. New head coach Mike Macdonald has vowed a commitment to the running game, and while that could lower Metcalf's ceiling, he's still capable of producing a WR2 season in a run centered offense with other capable pass catchers.
