Man, after seeing our Hawks drop that 17-7 game to the Cowboys, you just wanna yell. It’s early, yeah, but those hits sting. Still, sometimes, even if it’s not our guys, you gotta appreciate a player just *balling out*. Like what the Rams’ undrafted rookie, Austin Blaske, just pulled off: he absolutely crushed it, landing a spot on Pro Football Focus’ all-rookie team for the opening weekend of preseason!
The Undrafted Steal Who Blew Up the PFF Charts
Forget all the buzz around their QB, Ty Simpson, who had a “dazzling debut” down in Kansas City. When it came to PFF’s all-rookie team, it was Blaske, an undrafted free agent, who snagged that coveted nod. This dude split his time between left tackle and left guard in their preseason opener, showcasing some serious versatility and comfort at both spots. And the numbers don’t lie, either: he allowed only one pressure at tackle! That kind of clean sheet earned him a place among PFF’s top offensive tackles from Week 1, right alongside San Francisco 49ers rookie Carver Willis. This isn’t just a flash in the pan. Blaske cleared PFF’s 15-snap minimum comfortably, taking enough reps across two positions to give evaluators a real look at his range.
Future O-Line Anchor in the Making?
Look, the Rams already boast one of the league’s most well-rounded offensive lines, but Blaske’s preseason showing is way more than just a tune-up. This is about their future, seriously. With several of Los Angeles’ starting linemen scheduled to hit free agency next offseason, Blaske’s ability to play multiple spots along both the interior and edge could absolutely put him in position for a larger role in 2027. We’re talking at the very least a critical depth piece, but honestly, with play like that, who knows how high his ceiling goes? It’s wild to think what an undrafted guy can do when he gets a real shot and takes full advantage.
Ty Simpson’s Dazzle Wasn’t Enough
Now, you’d think after his “dazzling debut” that quarterback Ty Simpson would be a lock for that PFF rookie team. He completed 21-for-25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns! Those are some sweet numbers, right? But PFF’s grading standards are brutal. Simpson would have needed to clear Steelers rookie Drew Allar, who posted an 80.5 PFF grade. Allar completed 10-of-13 passes for 153 yards, two passing touchdowns, *and* a rushing touchdown. Yeah, that rushing touchdown probably made all the difference. Still, you gotta feel for Simpson, putting up those kinds of stats and still missing out on the team.
It just goes to show you, preseason can bring out some crazy stuff. While we’re all watching guys fight for spots, hoping our own Hawks can get things clicking after that 17-7 loss to the Cowboys, you see plays like Blaske’s that just ignite a team’s future. We need to bounce back, no question. Every snap, every game counts early in the season. Keep that belief strong, 12s, we need it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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