Paul Richardson, primed for a breakout season?

Third year Seattle Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson had a good first day of camp. Is it a sign that he’s ready to put his injuries behind him and make a contribution in 2016?

Two things we have come to know about Paul Richardson;

He’s fast, really fast.

He’s almost always hurt.

We’ve been teased by his talent, most notable near the end of his rookie season in 2014, when he caught 15 of his 43 passes in the last four games, for 169 yards and a TD.

But then came the ACL injury against Carolina in the playoffs, and a lost 2015 as he recovered from that, as well as other nagging injuries to follow.

As a result, he caught one pass last year.

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But all offseason, Richardson showed off his quickness and speed in spring and summer workouts with Russell Wilson, posting them on his Instagram account for all to see. Fools gold or a legitimate turn of the corner for the 6′ 183 pound speedster out of the University of Colorado?

Well for today, at least, he looked every bit the part of his old, healthy, fast self as the Seahawks opened training camp in Renton.

Imagine what the Seattle wide receiver corps, lambasted by national media just two years ago as “pedestrian,” would look like if Richardson could play a full healthy season. His electric speed on the outside, with the similarly fast Tyler Lockett and route-runner-extraordinaire Doug Baldin operating in the middle of the field? That’s a scary though for opposing defenses.

Add in the idea that the Hawks will still look to pound you with a physical running game and operate the play-action pass off of that? Watch out. And we haven’t even mentioned TE Jimmy Graham, who should be recovered from his own injury and ready to play by week #1.

Now we’ve been here before. What Richardson will have to do first is prove he can stay healthy. Then, it’s a matter of what he can actually contribute on the field.

As we sit today, Baldwin, Lockett and Jermaine Kearse are probably the only locks to make the roster. Young players such as Kasen Williams, Kevin Smith, Douglas McNeil and 2016 draftee Kenny Lawler will be vying for the other spots in what will likely be a 6 man WR room.

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If Richardson is healthy he should join that list of locks. If he stays healthy, he could have a breakout year in 2016, adding another dynamic weapon to Russell Wilson’s arsenal.

Today was just one day, but every day Paul Richardson avoids injury is a good one for the Seahawks.