The Seattle Seahawks lost a safety for the rest of the season on Sunday when Earl Thomas suffered a lower leg fracture, and while nobody can replace his impact on the defense, somebody has to take his spot on the 53-man roster. That somebody may be former second round pick T.J. Green, who tweeted “I’m back” and asked where the food was at in Seattle.
I’m back #NextChapter #12
— T.J. Green (@BossGreen256) October 2, 2018
Where the food at 12? #Seattle
— T.J. Green (@BossGreen256) October 2, 2018
Green was released from the Indianapolis Colts’ injured reserve with a settlement on September 6. That news came after just two seasons with the Colts, in which Green tallied 85 tackles over 31 games and 11 starts. I can’t speak to Green’s individual accomplishments in Indianapolis, but their pass defense finished 32nd in net yards per pass attempt allowed.
Green was a two-star recruit out of Alabama who went to Clemson as a wide receiver prospect. The team moved him to safety after his freshman campaign and it paid off for the Tigers as he was second on the team in tackles (95) on their way to a narrow defeat in the national championship game to Alabama. He is 6’2 with 32” arms and ran a 4.34 at the combine. His NFL.com draft profile finishes out as such:
BOTTOM LINE Height/weight/speed prospect who appears to be heating up around draft circles. With just one year of full-time starting experience and so much dead tape due to deep coverage responsibilities, teams will have a limited sample size to operate from, but traits usually win out. If Green hits a fast 40 at the combine (as expected), his stock will get a bump. Greens coverage potential is evident, but he might need time on the bench to watch and learn early on.
We know what Pete Carroll has done with DBs in the past, will he be able to take Green’s speed and turn him into dependable depth at the free safety position, if not more? There’s gonna be plenty of opportunities coming up for the Seahawks to find out.