Seahawks Doug Baldwin is highest graded undrafted receiver, per PFF

PFF recently released its top undrafted players since 2006. Ex-Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin made the list as the top undrafted wide receiver.

Honestly, when I think of Doug Baldwin, I think of a player who can just do it all. He plays with grit, tenacity, fire and competitiveness. He combines these mental attributes with lightning-fast reflexes, elusiveness and a sky-high football IQ. Because of this, it comes as no surprise to me that ex-Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin not only made the list but was the 7th best overall.

Highest graded undrafted players since 2006, per PFF (offensive, defensive):

CB Chris Harris Jr. 94.6

OT Jason Peters 93.1

DT Damon Harrison 92.5

EDGE Cameron Wake 92.4

C Jeff Saturday 91.7

LB James Harrison 91.3

WR Doug Baldwin 91.2

WR Wes Welker 91.0

To make a roster as an undrafted free agent, it’s honestly a feat all in itself. The team simply doesn’t have anything invested in UDFA outside maybe a couple thousand dollars. Making it all the more difficult to make the roster.

The UDFA are competing with players the team has actively invested millions of dollars into or players the team thought highly enough to select in the draft, with their limited resources. For a UDFA to make the roster, they have to beat out these players so badly that it gives the team no choice but to keep them around.

Doug Baldwin didn’t just make the roster in his rookie season. He led the team in receiving yards, targets and touchdowns. Now that is something special. Baldwin’s success didn’t just occur that one year, he lead these categories in 6 out of his 9 seasons.

Baldwin’s Stats:

• Averaged: 62 catches, 820 yards and 6 TD’s per season
• Lead the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2015 (tied) with 14
• He had the 4th highest catch rate in the NFL in 2015 at 94%
• 2nd highest receiving rating when being thrown to since 2015– 140.9. The only person ahead of him in this is Tyler Lockett from 2018 where he and Wilson amassed a perfect 158.3 rating.

Honestly, when you look at his stats, he was a very good player. However, when you watch his film you see another player completely, an elite one. His route running was as crisp as they come. His elusiveness was extraordinary. His ability to find the holes in coverage, legendary. His leadership, on point.

Players all around him showed love for his competitive fire, his quickness and football IQ. Russell Wilson once said that he truly believes there is not a cornerback in the NFL that could stay with Baldwin one on one. My favorite quote describing Baldwin was from Richard Sherman

"“Literally if you blink, you miss him.”"

When I think of Doug Baldwin, I can’t help but think of Russell Wilson. It was their ability to connect and develop a deeper understanding of how one another thinks. When Wilson went scrambling, Baldwin knew just where to go to give Wilson that safety net. He used his elusiveness, quickness and grit to make sure he got the ball when it mattered most.

Baldwin off the field

Off the field, Baldwin is just an incredible human being. He is active in the community. His passions off the field range from fighting for justice, equality down to connecting law enforcement agencies to the neighborhoods in need. He has given thousands if not millions of his own money to help improve the city he loves. His generosity in both time and material items shows his true character.

Sometimes PFF gets it wrong. However, there is no doubt about it, they got this one right. Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin is a special player on and off the field. He is undoubtedly qualified to hold the title of the best undrafted wide receiver since 2006.