The Seattle Seahawks have quite a few good receivers. Difficult to believe this was an underrated group just two years ago. Now, the Seahawks are faced with cutting a few. Which ones will go?
Do you remember when Jermaine Kearse used to get the third most targets on the Seahawks? Oh wait, that was last season. But should he have? Does Kearse have the skills to be the third best target – second best wide receiver – on Seattle’s roster?
What about the guys who cannot seem to maintain their health, Tyler Lockett and Paul Richardson? Where do they fit in? Will they be Seahawks in 2017?
Here’s my best guess at who stays and who goes with Seattle this year. (And don’t kick me if I am wrong. Most likely I will be. As long as the Seahawks win, I will be happy with being 100 percent wrong all of the time.)
The Locks
Doug Baldwin
Reason he stays: Because Doug Baldwin is one of the best, and most underrated, receivers in the NFL. According to Football Outsiders, Baldwin was in fact the ninth best receiver in the league last season. This was ahead of players like Odell Beckham Jr. (26th). Baldwin may be the hardest working receiver in the NFL. Suffice it to say, he gets the absolute most out of his ability. Historically, he might now be the second best receiver in Seahawks lore.
Reason he would go: There is no real way to answer this because there is absolutely no way that Doug Baldwin is not a Seahawk in 2017. Or 2018. Or 2019.
Chances of making the team: Too bad the meter will not go beyond 100 percent because with Baldwin, it should.
Tyler Lockett
Reason he stays: Lockett offers speed and athleticism and great hands. He singularly makes the return game on punts and kickoffs a weapon. The thing with Lockett is, as a receiver I do not think he has come anywhere near his potential. And that is a good thing. This means he will only get better and he is already good. If he can somehow stay healthy for an entire season or three, he could put up very good numbers.
Reason he would go: Only injuries will keep Lockett from reaching his potential. But to be honest, they have so far. Seattle does not have a good answer when Lockett goes out, though, so he is safe in Seattle for the foreseeable future. Thank goodness.
Chances of making the team: 100 percent, of course.
Paul Richardson
Reason he stays: Because like this and stuff…
Richardson in his limited time has shown great hands and speed and big play ability. “Limited” because he gets hurt so much, unfortunately. Still, as I have said for months (years!) imagine Baldwin, Lockett and Richardson healthy for an extended period of time all on the field at once. This would open up so many possibilities for the offense.
Reason he would go: The pain. Richardson cannot seem to stay healthy for more than four games at once. Plus, when he returned last season (from injury) he ran some wacky routes. Russell Wilson threw two interceptions late in the season simply because Richardson ran the wrong route or made the wrong read. With more time on the field, things will improve.
Chances of making the team: 95 percent (5 percent chance he gets hurt again this preseason and the Seahawks give up on him).
On the bubble
Jermaine Kearse
Reason he stays: Kearse is beloved by other Seahawks, and that is important. Culture is important in Seattle and Kearse is a big part of that. Kearse has made some extremely important plays for the Seahawks in his career. Wilson trusts him and that is also important. But he had a bad year in 2016 and Seattle has other receivers who are better physically.
Reason he goes: First, even if Kearse stays, he has no business getting the third most targets for the Seahawks. Some of this, of course, is simply because Kearse seems to stay healthy and other receivers don’t. Still, as been pointed out elsewhere a thousand times, Kearse had a ton more targets than Tanner McEvoy last season but half as many touchdowns. Kearse had 90 targets and caught one touchdown pass. This is not acceptable.
Chances of making the team: 70 percent
Kasen Williams
Reason he stays: Williams can make catches when challenged, it appears. In fact, one may start to wonder if he can catch if he is not totally covered. The other team might gameplan by saying, “Let’s just leave Williams wide open.” Williams has had a fantastic camp and is earning the Seahawks’ trust. He will get another chance to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster on Friday night.
Reason he goes: Williams has no history that what he is doing in the preseason he can do in real games. He has been on the practice squad for two years, so who knows. Williams is finally healthy and gaining confidence, however, so anything is possible.
Chances of making the team: 60 percent through preseason week two, but he needs to keep earning his spot in the next two games.
J.D. McKissic
Reason he stays: Versatility. McKissic can return punts and kickoffs as a backup to Lockett, plus has speed to be dangerous as a receiver. He hasn’t done anything in the NFL yet, and still has a tough time making the roster. But with his skill to do many things, the Seahawks might be comfortable keeping him on the active roster.
Reason he goes: McKissic does good things, but only as a backup. Ideally a backup would be able to step in to a starting role of the starter got hurt and the Seahawks wouldn’t miss much. I am not sure McKissic is that good of a receiver. In fact, I am not even sure he is that good of a return specialist.
Chances of making the team: 51 percent
Amara Darboh
Reason he stays: He is a rookie. Darboh has size and can catch. He also looks fast. His potential is what intrigues the Seahawks the most, but I don’t think the team expects much from him in 2017.
Reason he goes: He simply has not done a whole lot this preseason. Darboh certainly hasn’t put his stamp on the Seahawks. Not yet anyway, but he is still learning.
Chances of making the team: 55 percent
The long shots
Tanner McEvoy
Reason he would stay: Last year with Seattle, McEvoy did some good things. He threw a pass. Caught some touchdowns (two!). He only had 11 targets in 14 games but did catch nine of those targets. Plus, he’s really big at 6’6″ and 230 pounds.
Reason he goes: Not enough athletic ability compared to the quicker receivers on the team. Keeping McEvoy means cutting a player with more upside.
Chances of making the team: 40 percent
Cyril Grayson
Reason he would stay: Speed. Did I say Grayson was fast. He’s really fast. Plus, he has a lot of speed.
Reason he goes: Not enough experience. Grayson could show in these last two preseason games as a return guy that he should supplant McKissic on the roster, but he has a long way to go towards doing that.
Chances of making the team: 25 percent
Related Story: Enough about the receivers! Which Seahawks RBs will get cut?
Others who won’t make the team
Players: David Moore, Kenny Lawler and Russell Wilson
Reason they go: Oh, wait…you are still reading? First of all, thanks. Secondly, the Wilson thing was a joke. No way he makes the team as a receiver. As far as Moore and Lawler, my expectation is they make the practice squad. They might be next season’s Kasen Williams.