The Seattle Seahawks already had a crowded wide receiver room for quarterback Sam Darnold to make good use of with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, and even those further back on the depth chart, Jake Bobo and Tory Horton.
The Seahawks have a great starting trio that all bring different variables to the offense, but general manager John Schneider did something only some thought he might do during the draft: select a wide receiver, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., out of Kansas.
With Henderson's spot in the Seahawks wideout room much yet to be determined, he joins a group of players who are or have been elite, or dabble in eliteness, and considering what Henderson just said about what he can do with his abilities, it looks like he'll fit right in with how the Seahawks run their offense.
New Seattle Seahawks WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr. exudes confidence in what the film says about him
There is one thing that the Seahawks offense does, and more specifically, Smith-Njigba and Shaheed do, that makes the whole game plan for the opposition so dangerous, and that's their capabilities to take the tops off of defenses.
The Seahawks already have two players who do this at the highest level: running a deep, vertical route that forces the defense's secondary to cover deep, stretching them in all directions and creating space underneath for short-yardage pass plays.
Shaheed has been executing this exact style of wide receiver play since he entered the league, and Smith-Njigba proved last season he's already one of the best at it. Now, according to the new Seahawks wideout, Henderson, he can do the same thing, as he recently spoke about what he believes he brings to the table.
“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”
Coincidentally, the Seahawks now have two wide receiver threats who can double as kick returners; Shaheed already doubles as a return man, and Henderson also spent time with the Jayhawks as a kick returner on special teams. That element of Henderson's game alone adds further value to the Seahawks' offense.
After spending his first two college years in Alabama, Henderson didn't see too much action until he moved to Kansas. In 2025, his final college year, he totaled over 700 yards on 45 receptions, including five touchdowns. All three numbers were his college career best, not to mention everything he did as a returner for the Jayhawks.
Again, Henderson's immediate spot on the Seahawks wide receiver depth chart won't be figured out until training camp. That said, he will surely be given every opportunity to compete with the likes of Bobo and Horton. No matter where he lines up to begin the season, the Seahawks have the potential of another weapon, and a weapon they're already familiar with.
The Seahawks' offense got more dangerous with Jadarian Price alone. With Henderson also part of the mix, especially as a player who can take the top off of defenses, their offense is sure to maintain its elite status in the NFL next year and continue to be one of the best around.
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