While this past weekend’s rookie minicamp served primarily as an orientation program for the Seattle Seahawks 2018 draft class and undrafted free agent signings, the three-day event also provided a glimpse into the progress made by a few undrafted additions from a year ago.

In particular, former LSU track standout Cyril Grayson participated in his second minicamp with the Seahawks as he continues to attempt to create a career for himself as an NFL receiver.

Grayson, who signed with the Seahawks in April 2017, faced a steep learning curve trying to transition from the track back to football. Due to eligibility concerns, he never suited up for the Tigers on the gridiron and hadn’t played the sport since graduating high school, leaving him far behind his peers when he started practicing with the team last spring.

Seattle took a chance on the 5-foot-11, 183-pound Grayson because of his rare athletic skills. A seven-time All-American at LSU, he posted a 4.33 40-yard dash time and broad jumped 10-foot-7 at his pro day, immediately drawing interest from then-Seahawks scout Ed Dobbs. Within 78 hours of meeting with Dobbs, he signed a three-year contract.

After enduring a challenging first NFL season featuring crash course instruction returning punts and kicks as well as multiple practice squad stops with the Seahawks and Colts, coach Pete Carroll believes Grayson has “come a million miles” since failing to record a catch during the preseason last August and benefited greatly from extra reps at the team’s rookie minicamp.

“He’s got a lot of ability, and he’s very natural,” Carroll told reporters following the conclusion of minicamp. “He’s a natural route-runner, he can get in and out of his breaks, he’s got terrific speed, and he catches the ball really well too for having a limited background.”

The Seahawks have few players on the roster who can match Grayson in terms of athleticism, but this will be a vital offseason for his development and how he progresses could ultimately seal his NFL fate. Year two usually provides the biggest jump for NFL players, and with a full year of practice under his belt as he reacclimated to the game, the Seahawks will be banking on him making a major leap this spring.

As the team’s decision to draft running back Rashaad Penny further validated, Seattle wants to take some of the special teams load off of Tyler Lockett. Now likely the second receiver behind Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks will be expecting more from him offensively, and limiting his touches in the return game should help him stay healthy.

Penny, who returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns at San Diego State, figures to be heavily involved in special teams as a rookie for the Seahawks. But as a first-round pick, he’s also going to be a key cog on offense as Seattle tries to reignite its rushing attack. If Grayson wants to find a way to sneak onto the Seahawks 53-man roster this year, proving he can thrive as a return man would improve his chances exponentially.

It’s also worth noting Seattle lost over 30 percent of its overall receiving production from a year ago when receiver Paul Richardson and tight end Jimmy Graham left as free agents in March. In addition, the Seahawks didn’t draft any wide receivers, creating ample opportunities for young players like Grayson to carve out contributing roles on offense in 2018.

Seattle has a number of intriguing, unproven receivers on the roster, including 2017 third-round pick Amara Darboh and seventh-round pick David Moore. With both of these players having superior football pedigree in comparison to Grayson, they’ll be the front-runners to help replace Richardson’s production. Veteran Jaron Brown, who the Seahawks signed in March, will also be a roadblock to earning snaps at receiver.

Track athletes have made a mark in the NFL before, however, and Grayson will be looking to etch his name in the history books as the next player to successfully make the switch. If he finds a way to produce as a receiver during the preseason and figures out how to utilize his athletic gifts as a special teams player, he could be one of the Seahawks’ biggest surprises this upcoming season.