PinnedHB LIVE! Grant Cohn Joins Seahawks vs 49ers Preview
Follow on X
36mNEWThe Seahawks have signed Trevon Diggs to the 53-man roster.
Julian Neal was placed on IR with a hamstring injury that happened during practice.
No practice squad call-ups.
2hNEWTop 20 Defensive Linemen (DT + Edge) through four weeks
This combines pass rush plus run defense (70/30 weighting toward pass rush).
This relies on @SumerSports matchup data and accounts for not just how the player performed, but the quality of players they went up against.
3hNEWThere's a lot that we will learn from this game between the Seahawks and 49ers tomorrow. @realjeffsimmons and I talked about the players who have stepped up for Seattle so far, and the ones who still need to. Also, a vibe shift I noticed.
5hNEWVideoThis one's for you @johnpboyle
5hNEWIt's a Seahawks Saturday!
Something changed at the VMAC yesterday. I will share what I noticed and we will find out whether it matters.
@realjeffsimmons and I will also discuss which players have outperformed expectations so far.
See you at 10AM PT6hNEWArizona doing Arizona things. No franchise has more losses, and you can add this pick to the list.
From can’t miss to can’t catch in two seasons.7hNEWCan’t wait to see everyone tonight at Lowlander Brewing!
HB Live with guest @grantcohn
Grab a ticket:
4PM. See you there!
7hNEWToday in the HB Daily
22hNEWThis year's draft class has actually been bottom-heavy so far. @dpbrugler @TampaBayTre may be interested in this.
Based on VOR (value over replacement) of rookies with 50+ snaps in Wks 1-4, this has been the strongest start for Day 3 picks over the last 5 years.
Day 1/2, not so good.Vibe Shift
Game status, filed Friday · Seahawks.com →
Up 14.8 VOR after the Chargers game, from 90.1 to 104.9. He's this week's Player Spotlight.
HawkBlogger earns a commission when you buy through these links.
Brian talked with 7 Seahawks on Wednesday and Thursday. Tap a player to listen.
I played an AI locker room speech for Eric Saubert. He fired a shot at Drake Thomas, and I asked Drake to respond.
Thu agoCharles Cross shared his thoughts on the 49ers matchup and his own play so far
Wed agoUchenna Nwosu shared his perspective on this game against the Niners and the players-only meeting
Wed agoTrevon Diggs and Mike Evans
Trevon Diggs talked about his first reps on the field as a Seahawk and his past playing Mike Evans
Wed agoGrade is yards per route he takes away on a typical rep, against the receivers he covered. Every grade is adjusted for the opponent, and small samples are pulled toward average. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting.
Grade is yards per route he adds on a typical route, against the defenders who covered him. Every grade is adjusted for the opponent, and small samples are pulled toward average. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting.
Grade is how much he raises the pressure rate on a typical rep, in percentage points, against the blockers he faced. Every grade is adjusted for the opponent, and small samples are pulled toward average. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting.
Grade is how much he cuts the pressure rate on a typical rep, in percentage points, against the rushers he faced. Every grade is adjusted for the opponent, and small samples are pulled toward average. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting.
Grade is how much he raises the disruption rate on a typical run, in percentage points, against the blockers he faced. Every grade is adjusted for the opponent, and small samples are pulled toward average. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting.
Grade is how much he cuts the disruption rate on a typical run, in percentage points, against the defenders he faced. Every grade is adjusted for the opponent, and small samples are pulled toward average. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting.
VOR is value over replacement, from the Player Evaluator. 100 is replacement level, and every 30 points is a full step up. See every player →
Solid regular. Up 14.8 VOR after the Chargers game, from 90.1 to 104.9.
Best at run block net positive plays % (59th percentile) and pass blocks lost % (59th percentile). Weakest at pressure allowed vs rushers faced (pts) (15th percentile).
Full profile in the Player Evaluator →Franchise cornerstone. The 49ers' best player by VOR.
Best at yards per route run (97th percentile) and route net positive plays % (97th percentile). Weakest at separation rate % (9th percentile).
Full profile in the Player Evaluator →Below replacement. The lowest-rated regular in the 49ers' lineup.
Best at penalties per 100 snaps (77th percentile) and coverage net positive plays % (23rd percentile). Weakest at yards per route vs receivers faced (6th percentile).
Full profile in the Player Evaluator →Each spoke is one input to his VOR, scored against his position. The number in each dot is his percentile. The dashed ring is replacement level.
The HB matchup model: each player's opponent-adjusted grade over the reps he's projected to see against the other. Data: HB matchup model on Sumer Sports charting.
Leonard Williams: 1 pressure on 48 pass-rush reps against Jake Brendel (2024–2025). The model expected 3.7.
History, not a forecast. How two players have done against each other doesn't predict their next meeting, but it's worth watching. Data: Sumer Sports player-by-player charting, 2024 on.
For Seattle, linebacker Chazz Surratt (calf) and cornerback Julian Neal (hamstring) are out. Running back George Holani (ribs, knee) and wide receiver Irvin Charles (knee, designated to return from injured reserve) are questionable. Running back Zach Charbonnet is out, on the physically unable to perform list.
| Team | Player | Injury | Fri | Game status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | Chazz Surratt | Calf | DNP | Out |
| SEA | Julian Neal | Hamstring | DNP | Out |
| SEA | George Holani | Ribs, Knee | Limited | Questionable |
| SEA | Irvin Charles | Knee | Limited | Questionable |
| SEA | Zach Charbonnet | Knee | Limited | Out |
| SEA | Leonard Williams | Ankle | Full | No designation |
San Francisco's defense held up well through the first two weeks, allowing minus 0.12 EPA per play, 8th in the NFL. Over the last two games it has allowed plus 0.094 EPA per play, 23rd in the league. The success rate allowed tells the same story: 41.7% through two weeks, 45.6% over the last two.
Men's Nike Jaxon Smith-Njigba Royal Seattle Seahawks Throwback Player Game Jersey
$149.99
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seattle Seahawks Autographed Riddell Speed Authentic Helmet - Art by Shawn Voelker - NF70444444
$6299.99
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seattle Seahawks Autographed 16" x 20" Touchdown Celebration Spotlight Photograph with "25 NFL OPOY" Inscription
$189.99
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seattle Seahawks Banner Raising Bobblehead
$80.00
Women's Nike Jaxon Smith-Njigba Royal Seattle Seahawks Throwback Player Game Jersey
$149.99
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seattle Seahawks Autographed Riddell Speed Authentic Helmet - Art by King Saladeen - Limited Edition #1/1
$8099.99
HawkBlogger earns a commission when you buy through these links. It helps keep the show going.
Here we are again. Seahawks versus 49ers. One team enters undefeated. The other team enters with a dust-free Lombardi Trophy. Whichever team wins will leave in first place in the NFL’s toughest…
Mike Macdonald was clear that he did not want the 2026 Seahawks squad to live in the past. There would be no talk of defending their Super Bowl championship, and the notion of “running it back” was…
Two teams enter Lumen Field coming off losses they believe should have been wins. The Chargers blew a lead and five takeaways in Buffalo to drop their third straight game to start the season. Seattle…
Seattle: 8th in 1st down success rate (49.5%), 30th in 2nd & 8+ escape rate (25.9%).
Ahead of the chains · 849ersRavensChiefsPanthersLionsBillsCowboysPatriots
Data: Sumer Sports charting. Open this grid →
Seattle: 13th in EPA per play (+0.018), 2nd in EPA per play allowed (−0.137).
Good at both · 10JaguarsRavensChiefsBearsRamsSeahawks49ersRaiders+2 more
Data: nflverse play-by-play. Open this grid →
Seattle: 10th in explosive play rate (10.3%), 3rd in explosive play rate allowed (5.7%).
Hit big, allow little · 949ersFalconsSeahawksRamsChiefsPanthersRavensJaguars+1 more
Data: nflverse play-by-play. Open this grid →
Seattle: 10th in dropback EPA (+0.193), 27th in rush EPA per play (−0.147).
Both work · 8Bills49ersRavensJaguarsChiefsBearsCowboysRams
Data: nflverse play-by-play. Open this grid →
Seattle: 4th in pressure rate (36.9%), 1st in 20+ yard pass rate allowed (3.7%).
Get home, allow nothing deep · 8SeahawksRaidersChiefsVikingsRamsPanthersBearsFalcons
Data: nflverse play-by-play · FTN charting. Open this grid →
Seattle: 1st in rush success rate allowed (32.7%), 6th in dropback success allowed (40.9%).
Stops both · 10FalconsVikingsSeahawksRamsTexansChiefsRavensBuccaneers+2 more
Data: nflverse play-by-play. Open this grid →
Seattle: 13th in success rate (44.4%), 10th in explosive play rate (10.3%).
Both · 1149ersRavensBillsChiefsJaguarsFalconsBearsLions+3 more
Data: nflverse play-by-play. Open this grid →
Seattle: 8th in 1st down success rate (49.5%), 30th in 2nd & 8+ escape rate (25.9%).
Ahead of the chains · 849ersRavensChiefsPanthersLionsBillsCowboysPatriots
Data: Sumer Sports charting. Open this grid →
The dashed line is the NFL average that week. Green beat it, orange didn't.
Open the Team Evaluator →Biggest climb: Buccaneers ▲4 to 21st
Seattle trails the 49ers by 0.7 points of HB rating, 2nd in the NFL. Ranks are in the NFL.
The biggest 2026 cap hits, of $293.5M on 61 players.
Most value over replacement per $1M of 2026 cap.
22 Seahawks are in the last year of their deals, $61.2M of this year's cap. Best by VOR first.
How the Seattle Seahawks silenced all doubts and became Super Bowl LX champions.
The best daily dose of Seahawks and NFL insights, delivered to your inbox.
You're on the list. Check your inbox and tap Confirm to keep the issues coming. One email address, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.
Social
Follow @hawkblogger →The 49ers officially activated DL Mykel Williams and removed his questionable status for the game. They also elevated 2 from the practice squad: DL Ogbo Okoronkwo TE Jack Stoll (likely related to the Kyle Juszczyk injury)
The Seahawks have signed Trevon Diggs to the 53-man roster. Julian Neal was placed on IR with a hamstring injury that happened during practice. No practice squad call-ups.
Top 20 Defensive Linemen (DT + Edge) through four weeks This combines pass rush plus run defense (70/30 weighting toward pass rush). This relies on @SumerSports matchup data and accounts for not just how the player performed, but the quality of players they went up against.
There's a lot that we will learn from this game between the Seahawks and 49ers tomorrow. @realjeffsimmons and I talked about the players who have stepped up for Seattle so far, and the ones who still need to. Also, a vibe shift I noticed.
This one's for you @johnpboyle
It's a Seahawks Saturday! Something changed at the VMAC yesterday. I will share what I noticed and we will find out whether it matters. @realjeffsimmons and I will also discuss which players have outperformed expectations so far. See you at 10AM PT
Arizona doing Arizona things. No franchise has more losses, and you can add this pick to the list. From can’t miss to can’t catch in two seasons.
Can’t wait to see everyone tonight at Lowlander Brewing! HB Live with guest @grantcohn Grab a ticket: 4PM. See you there!
Today in the HB Daily