Dee Eskridge has yet to make any kind of tangible impact since being selected in the second round by the Seahawks. 

Former Seattle quarterback Brock Huard expects that to change in 2023.

Speaking on his radio show, 'Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports', Huard labeled Eskridge as his breakout player for the Seahawks in this coming season.

Explaining his reasoning, Huard said: 

I think the former second-rounder has the kind of athleticism, has the kind of clay to mold that if the head can be on straight, if he can stay healthy (he can perform). And Dee Eskridge if he doesn’t find it, if he doesn’t put it together, he’s going to be looking at himself as one of those (what could have been players). I like that incentive. I’m keeping an eye closely on Dee Eskridge this preseason.

It is a bold selection. Eskridge, partially owing to injuries, has caught just 17 passes in his NFL career.

And his opportunities to add to that tally in 2023 appear likely to be limited, even if he is able to avoid injuries.

In addition to playing behind D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Eskridge is set to find himself behind rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the depth chart. The Seahawks selected Smith-Njigba in the first round and he is expected to be their starting slot receiver. 

If that proves to be the case, Eskridge may have to face spending most of Seattle's offensive snaps on the sideline. The Seahawks rely heavily on their tight ends and, per Joseph Jefe, did not line up for a single snap with four wide receivers on the field last season.

Yet, if he can stay healthy, there is a strong case for Seattle finding ways to get him on the field.

Eskridge brings an additional speed element to the Seahawks' offense and has the acceleration to be a substantial threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. Having seen the damage 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel has done as a de-facto wide receiver-running back hybrid, Seattle could look to use Eskridge in a similar fashion and deploy him in the backfield and look to him to add some explosiveness to their screen game.

It is something of a stretch to suggest a wideout who will at best be the fourth receiver on a team that loves to run the ball can be a breakout player.

But the Seahawks have been good at surprising people in recent times and, if they can identify ways to turn Eskridge into a productive and valuable part of the attack, a Seattle offense that is stacked with talent at the skill positions will be even more difficult for defenses to stop.

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