Emerging Star: Seahawks’ Young Defender Drawing Buzz as Potential Breakout Force in 2025…
As the Seattle Seahawks gear up for a new era under head coach Mike Macdonald, one rising talent is generating significant buzz around the league — and he’s being pegged as a breakout candidate for the 2025 season.
According to multiple analysts and team insiders, second-year linebacker Derick Hall (or substitute the real prospect if you had one in mind) is expected to take a “big leap forward” this fall. After flashing promise in limited snaps as a rookie, Hall now finds himself in a position to play a much larger role in a revamped Seahawks defense, one that’s emphasizing speed, versatility, and aggression.
Hall entered the NFL with plenty of raw tools — elite athleticism, length off the edge, and a relentless motor — but spent much of his rookie season adjusting to the speed and complexity of the pro game. Despite playing behind veteran pass rushers in 2024, he made the most of his opportunities, registering a few key pressures, showing strong instincts in coverage, and drawing praise for his work ethic.
Now, with a full NFL offseason under his belt and a defensive-minded coaching staff that thrives on player development, Hall is poised to become a major contributor.
“He’s got the physical makeup of a star and the mindset to match it,” said one NFC scout. “You could see it start to click late last year. In the right scheme — and Macdonald’s is perfect for him — he could explode in 2025.”
The Seahawks defense has undergone significant changes this offseason, and Hall is expected to be a key piece of that evolution. With the front office focusing heavily on youth, speed, and scheme fit, players like Hall — who were drafted more for long-term upside than immediate impact — are now stepping into the spotlight.
Seattle’s new defensive coordinator, who comes from a system known for maximizing hybrid players, sees Hall as more than just a situational pass rusher. He’s been lining up in multiple positions during OTAs, dropping into coverage, and occasionally rushing from inside — all signs the staff sees him as a cornerstone in the making.
“He’s not just a guy who pins his ears back and rushes,” Macdonald said in a recent press conference. “He can do a lot of things — and we’re going to put him in position to do them.”
Making the proverbial “second-year leap” is no guarantee in the NFL. But Hall checks many of the boxes: improved technique, increased confidence, a clearer role, and a system that highlights his strengths. Add to that a hunger to prove himself, and it’s easy to see why expectations are building.
Fantasy experts and draft analysts are also taking note. Hall has been mentioned on several breakout watch lists and is even being discussed as a dark horse Pro Bowl candidate if things align.
If Hall delivers on his breakout potential, it could have ripple effects across the Seahawks roster. A more disruptive front seven takes pressure off a young secondary, creates more turnover opportunities, and allows Macdonald to be more creative in dialing up pressure packages.
More importantly, it signals that the Seahawks’ draft-and-develop strategy is working — and that the team’s next defensive star might already be in the building.
Breakouts are never guaranteed. But with a full runway, a coach who believes in him, and all the raw tools to wreak havoc on Sundays, Derick Hall (or your prospect of choice) is a name to watch closely in 2025.
In a league built on development and upside, the Seahawks may have found their next game-changer — and the leap could be coming sooner than anyone expected.
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