Pick 50: Elijah Arroyo

[glenwo2]

If I was a Little Debbie's Downer, would it be ok ? I'd complain about stuff but I'd be friggin delicious !

I like the Brownies, myself.

 

[DeSeahawk]

I'm not really down on the pick, it just doesn't line up with what I, in my infinite wisdom, would have chosen instead. I'd have liked another OL or a WR to put right in the #3 spot.

A TE like this kid is definitely a great addition. He rates as a good catcher and blocker. The blocking would really help out if they dont get a better option at right guard

 

[DeSeahawk]

I like the Brownies, myself.

Do you prefer me with nuts or without ?

Hey hey hey, not like that, you pervs !

 

[bsuhawk]

Elijah Arroyo is Noah Fant's replacement. Fant has the second largest cap hit on the team (13.41 mil.), so I expect he will soon be an ex-Seahawk. Last year Klint Kubiak ran 12 personnel 31% and 22 personnel 8% of the time, so having two quality tight ends who can block and catch is critical. Arroyo immediately becomes the Hawks' best receiving tight end and is an underrated blocker. Assuming the Hawks actually have a running game next year, Arroyo will be an excellent play action option down the seam. As for his knee, you have to trust that JS and MM did their due diligence. Very excited about this pick.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Wish I could get excited, but the injury history should have dropped him into the third IMO.

 

[Azvacar]

Looking forward to see if he pans out. It would be a real change of pace to have a legit threat at TE for us.

Jimmy would have been amazing for us.. had we actually used him... Kubiak back then might have been a bright spot

 

[Azvacar]

Guess I should clarify knee injury then... a heavily torn ACL... Came back probably too early the next year as he tore it late mid season... only to last 6 games the next.


People keep using the word "history" as if basically one season is an entire "history". So no.. after he got a full good season to recover on a proper system... and then came back to basically tear it up?


He strained his other knee in the senior bowl but still came back to perform on pro day for scouts and everyone else after the Combine. Plenty of good picks have done this.. so the combine isn't really a talking point.

The one year you mean Miami got a decent QB transfer and knew how to throw the ball while he was healthy. Still again, posting high yards per catch average on his touches in 6 and 6 games the previous two years with literally terrible QB play

We could go on to list all the college players that have gone on to be very successful after a mid college stretch, or 2 bad years in the NFL... The Tape.. when he is playing is indisputable. So no... not concerned. Just my opinion though

Speaking of context, I'd love to hear some context regarding that injury, because missing 2 years due to 1 knee injury is pretty unusual in this day and age.

The guy had 1 year of college production due to injuries. You're more than welcome to not be at all concerned about that, but I think it's a bit silly to act like it's not a valid concern.

 

[hieroglyphics]

Being injured in college didn't stop Gronk from having an amazing career, he missed his entire junior year recovering from back surgery. Then there are Arroyo's fellow Canes like Frank Gore who tore his ACL twice in college, yet went onto rush for 16,000 yards and finish as the 3rd all time leading rusher in NFL history and Willis McGahee who had a solid NFL career.

Injuries in college aren't determinative to a player's career or trajectory being injury prone, plenty of non-injury prone guys out of college end up becoming injury prone in the NFL.

 

[Seahawk_Dan]

Arroyo is gonna be a monster. I wouldn’t be shocked if this season he tallies up 700+ yards receiving

 

[glenwo2]

Arroyo is gonna be a monster. I wouldn’t be shocked if this season he tallies up 700+ yards receiving

I think Elijah is going to be a matchup Nightmare for opposing Cornerbacks and Linebackers.

 

[RehireMora]

Thats his thing about speed. Slower than a turtle at the snap, faster than a rabbit once he gets going. And when I say turtle, I mean a turtle with 4 broken legs and an oversized shell.

But man, does he have hands like Largent! Dude don't miss. If they can figure out a productive way to use him, it's lights out for the League

I just read he reached an in-game speed of 21.8mph at one point last season, which was the highest number hit by any TE in the college or the NFL last season. He can definitely move.

 

[Cyrus12]

From rotoworld

Arroyo (6’5/250) was a backup as a freshman and then dealt with various injuries over the next two seasons, meaning his senior campaign is his only one on record as a starter. Miami’s offense took off under Cam Ward in 2024 and Arroyo came along for the ride with a 35/590/7 receiving line. Arroyo was an elite YAC producer, racking up 8.9 YAC perception. Over half of his yardage total came after the catch. Arroyo ran over half of his routes from the slot and was also involved on screens. He caught 10 screens for 81 yards, both of which ranked top 10 among Power Four tight ends last year. Arroyo has the size to be a plus blocker at the next level, but his technique and tenacity in the trenches leave a lot to be desired. He also relies on his dynamism after the catch to patch over clunky route-running. Having played sparingly until his final season, Arroyo will be a project for the Seahawks. He will start his career as a backup to Noah Fant unless the latter is traded, which remains a possibility.

 

[Ozzy]

Love this pick. Kubiak operates best with a weapon like this, helps Darnold and the offense should be better this year. This was a steal for Seattle. Multiple scouts tweeted they had him as a top 20 talent.

 

[Appyhawk]

The number one center in the draft was on the board. This guy better be an impact, right away.

Seems clear to me he already has been an impact! I suspect our QB room will be down to three prior to regular season and that Fant will be on a different team, or looking for one.

 

[onanygivensunday]

From The Athletic's Dane Brugler's The Beast...

STRENGTHS:
● Fluid, loose athlete for the position with above-average speed
● Strides are light and long, which allows him to eat up ground quickly and be a factor on seams, posts and fades
● 34.3 percent of his catches in 2024 went for 20 yards or more (for context, Brock Bowers finished his final season at Georgia at 23.2 percent)
● Impressive pacing on one- and two-cut routes, where he can shake and separate
● Strong focus and hands (only one career drop), no matter the action required
● Secures ball well in stride to be a catch-and-go weapon (led FBS tight ends in 2024 with 9.1 yards after catch/reception)
● Competes as a blocker, both when driving inline or out in space
● Was 220 pounds when he enrolled in college and found good balance of adding weight without sacrificing speed
● Served as a team captain for four games in 2024 (Mario Cristobal: "That guy's the ultimate team player. He's been through a lot, and he's seen ups and downs. He's just really hungry for team success.")

 

[SeaMeat]

Third Ranked TE in the draft...... why are you not feeling it?

It's not so much as the player as it is the position with this pick. Their next pick was even more confusing to me.

 

[Natethegreat]

I love the pick. Injuries are not predictable at all.

 

[PhxPhin]

I'm a Miami fan and I'm mostly good with this.

Availability is a concern for sure, even little knocks - however, that stuff can be really unpredictable

We've had guys not miss games for years and then go glass here and vice versa

Guy is a fluid impact player when he gets going though - just a problem and someone that can do things

Will take some time to develop up to NFL standards and will need to be healthy to do that, but could be a firm Fant replacement after the season

 

[Shane Falco]

Love the pick. Like most just hope the injuries history doesn't come back to bite us. This dude looks as nimble, speedy and agile as a WR out there.

 

[Kamcussionator]

Best quotes on Arroyo:
- He's what you guys wanted Noah Fant to be.
- His too big for corners, too fast for linebackers. The only guy that can cover him reliably is Emmanwori -- which you guys already have.