Why Seahawks need to take a receiver in the draft

Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as amazed by the physical attributes of DK Metcalf and the toe-tap catches that Tyler Lockett makes as the next Seahawks fan.  But I also know that this wide receiver room isn’t full, and unless the Seahawks will be knocking down Antonio Brown’s door after May 1, they need to at least consider selecting a receiver in the draft.

It’s not that I don’t believe in Freddie Swain.  I think he’s a skilled receiver that would serve this team best in the same role as he did last year.  He had 13 catches for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns.  I just don’t know if he’s ready to step into the David Moore role in year 2.  Moore had 35 catches for 417 yards and 6 touchdowns last year.

This group will also have the help of Gerald Everett’s service this season, and I do think he’ll break out from the mediocrity of his Rams career, where he played behind Tyler Higbee for multiple seasons.  I would project that, if used the right way, Everett has the athletic capability to catch 50 passes for 500 yards and a few touchdowns in 2021.

Why Seahawks need to take a receiver early in the 2021 NFL draft

This is obviously a team that’s trying to win a Super Bowl right now.  Pete Carroll is old, Russell Wilson is slowly aging and the defense isn’t what it used to be.  The Seahawks need an explosive weapon, not a middling fourth receiver or tight end, to push them over the edge and make them true contenders.

While the Seahawks have limited draft capital this year, they can still grab a real playmaker since this year’s receiver class is so deep.  On the next slide, we’ll take a look at four receivers who could really boost this offense for 2021 and beyond.

I’ll go through these four prospects in descending rank based on The Draft Network’s big board.

Frank Darby, Prospect 147

Darby is built well.  He’s 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds.  He doesn’t have true home-run speed, but he’s a downfield threat and would be an upgrade over Freddie Swain.  He may be tough to get, though.  He’s the highest-ranked of these four players by almost 30 picks, and I’m not sure Seattle will have an opportunity to select him.

Marquez Stevenson, Prospect 175

Stevenson is smaller and lighter than Darby (5’10”, 182 pounds), but he makes up for it with his speed.  He runs a very fast 4.45 40 yard dash, and I think he would allow Tyler Lockett to work on the inside by taking over on some downfield shots.  If he falls to 175, there’s a good chance the Seahawks have a chance to take him.

Dazz Newsome, Prospect 182

Similar to Stevenson in size (5’11”, 192 pounds), Dazz Newsome is my favorite of this group.  He’s opposite Stevenson in that I think he would be best suited in the slot, allowing Tyler Lockett to remain on the outside.  He’s an excellent slant runner and has the breakaway speed to take those short passes for 20 or more yards on a consistent basis.  Ranked as a late Round 5 pick, the Seahawks will definitely be able to target him.

Trevon Grimes, Prospect 201

Grimes played an excellent career at Florida, often overshadowed by Kadarius Toney.  He’s the biggest of these players an impressive 6’4″ tall and 217 pounds.  He’s also almost as fast as Stevenson and runs a 4.47 40.  If the Seahawks are looking for DK Metcalf V2, Grimes would be a good candidate.  Seattle should look at taking him should he fall to the 6th round.

These four receivers would suit the Seahawks’ offense well for the 2021 season and going into the future.  I just feel like in order for the offense to be deadly and lead the team to another Super Bowl, it needs one more X-factor, something it could find for value at the back end of the upcoming NFL Draft.