As the Seattle Seahawks gear up for training camp and a pivotal season under head coach Mike Macdonald, there’s a quietly growing buzz in the Pacific Northwest about a talented rookie emerging: undrafted rookie edge rusher Connor O’Toole out of Utah. O’Toole is an almost unheard of name who was extremely far from the top of anyone’s draft boards. But he brings a unique skill set that should prove to be very valuable to the Seahawks.
In order for an undrafted rookie’s to find a role on a roster they need to have one standout trait (it’s usually only one because if they had more they likely would’ve been drafted). In O’Toole’s case, it’s his athleticism. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) clocks in at a jaw-dropping 9.49 out of 10—an elite benchmark that puts him above nearly all his 2025 edge-rushing peers. Below are just a few of his athletic attributes:
- 4.64-second 40-yard dash—impressive for a player of his frame
- 37.5-inch vertical jump, 10’1” broad jump—showing elite explosiveness
- Outstanding agility drills, with top-tier results in both shuttle and 3-cone
- Speed, bend, and change-of-direction skills that stand out even in a loaded rookie class
When put side by side with first-rounder James Pearce Jr. or Day 2 steals Donovan Ezeiruaku and Princely Umanmielen, O’Toole actually tops them all in athleticism (based on RAS score). This level of athleticism in context is rare for an undrafted free agent.
But O’Toole’s value isn’t just in traits; it’s in a proven track record from his collegiate performance. He began as a wide receiver in college before transitioning to defensive end. His skill and talent at defensive end aren’t NFL-caliber, at least not right now. But throughout his tenure in college, O’Toole was a consistent and impactful contributor on special teams. And it is there on special teams O’Toole will see his impact for the Seahawks.
O’Toole’s special teams experience and acumen is a good fit in Seattle. After all, head coach Mike Macdonald made a name for himself as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator under John Harbaugh. And how did Harbaugh make his name in the NFL? As an elite special teams coach in Philadelphia. Harbaugh’s emphasis on special teams likely rubbed off on Macdonald. He needs playmakers with the Seahawks who can step up outside of scrimmage snaps on offense and defense. And that’s exactly what O’Toole provides.
Realistically, O’Toole won’t start on defense this season. Frankly, he may not even get a single scrimmage snap on defense. He’s raw as a pass rusher and his technique is still very much developmental. But his special teams value is enormous, especially considering the current roster make up in Seattle.With younger players and rookies set to play more scrimmage snaps, the Seahawks can’t afford to spread them across every special teams rep. O’Toole’s willingness, athleticism, and proven reliability make him a likely future special teams ace.
If “steal” means getting more value than you invested, then Connor O’Toole fits the definition perfectly. Seattle invested almost nothing but a rookie contract and a training camp invite; O’Toole could return that with hundreds of impactful special teams snaps, freeing up defensive regulars and delivering roster flexibility all year.
He’s the sort of player who could end up a fixture on every special teams unit by the season’s midpoint. Fans tracking rookies this preseason should keep a close eye on Connor O’Tootle. If he makes the final 53, it won’t be for highlight-reel sacks or tackles—it’ll be for the less glamorous but essential job of doing the dirty work wherever he’s asked.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
