With the 2016 NFL season now in the books, and the 2017 league year not yet upon us, now is a good time to take a look at where things stand with the Seahawks roster. Over the next two weeks, we'll take a position-by-position look at the Seahawks, both looking back at the 2016 season and looking ahead to 2017. Today, the focus is on receiver.
2016 Recap
For the second straight year, Doug Baldwin showed not just that he is the Seahawks' top receiver, but also one of the best in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career. While Baldwin was the standout, hauling in a franchise record-tying 94 receptions for a career-high 1,128 yards, the Seahawks also showed their depth, getting significant contributions from Tyler Lockett, Jermaine Kearse, and especially late in the season, from Paul Richardson. Even undrafted rookie Tanner McEvoy showed flashes of big-play ability in limited snaps.
Notable Number: 5
With his 1,128 yards this season and 1,069 last year, Baldwin became just the fifth player in franchise history to record consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, joining Steve Largent, Darrell Jackson, Joey Galloway and Brian Blades.
Offseason Outlook
The Seahawks had more uncertainty at this position last offseason when Kearse was a free agent and Baldwin was heading into the final year of his contract, but having re-signed Kearse and signed Baldwin to a contract extension, there isn't much in the way of uncertainty in terms of losing players. That being said, the Seahawks will always look to add to the competition at this position, just like everywhere else on the roster, and considering they have selected a receiver in four straight drafts, it's a pretty good bet that they could look to do so again this year.
While there isn't much in the way of contract uncertainty, one big offseason storyline will be the recovery of Lockett, who in Week 16 sustained a broken leg that required surgery. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said the hope is that Lockett will be back for training camp, but that won't be known for certain until this summer.
What The Future Holds
As unfortunate as Lockett's injury was, it did open the door for Richardson to have a bigger role, and he responded in a big way, catching 15 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns over Seattle's final four games, including 83 yards in the Divisional Round loss at Atlanta, and three spectacular grabs in Seattle's Wild Card win over Detroit. Add to the mix the expected development of McEvoy, who is still relatively new to playing receiver, as well as Kenny Lawler, who spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad, and the Seahawks feel good about their depth at receiver even before they made additional moves.
"I think the really great part about Paul is he finally has the chance to play on a consistent basis and he showed up," Carroll said. "Going into the next year we're just counting on him being a big factor. I think he was able to give us the same sparks that Tyler gave us, and we think the world of Tyler. It's a good looking group. (Richardson) made some fantastic plays and I'm glad that he knows that going into the offseason and we know that going into the off season. We come back with the thought of battling and seeing who's going to get more play time. He did a great job for himself and he helped us."
RELATED
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Cornerback
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Offensive Line
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Defensive Line
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Quarterback
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Safety
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Running Back
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Linebacker
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Tight End
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Special Teams
The best photos from team photographer Rod Mar's behind-the-scenes 'Eye on the Hawks' photo blog from the Seattle Seahawks' 2016 NFL season.
At 12:15, the defensive backs, led by Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, left the locker room an headed to the field, passing a large 12 flag signed by fans.
The Seahawks players and coaches linked arms in a pregame display of unity during the playing of the national anthem. From left are defensive coordinator Kris Richard, cornerback Richard Sherman, head coach Pete Carroll and defensive backs coach Andre Curtis.
Now in uniform, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin prepare to take the field for pregame warmups.
Quarterback Russell Wilson surveys the field looking for an open receiver.
Head coach Pete Carroll walks on the grass of the Coliseum, site of many of his memorable victories as coach of the U.S.C. Trojans. In the background (from left) are assistant line coach Pat Ruel, receivers coach Dave Canales, special teams assistant Chad Morton and assistant strength coach Jamie Yanchar. All were with Carroll at U.S.C. as coaches, except for Morton who played for Carroll from 1996-1999.
It's less than ten minutes from kickoff and the Seahawks fill the hallway of the locker room, ready to take on the Rams.
Quarterback Russell Wilson emerges from smoke and fog as he prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett stops to sign a young fan's jersey after walk-thru on Saturday.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll smiles after a Christine Michael touchdown in the fourth quarter extended Seattle's lead to 24-10.
Frank Clark sweats during a pregame workout as he and trainers assessed his fitness to play after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the week.
Quarterback Russell Wilson throws a pass during the offensive unit's brief walk thru in a hotel ballroom.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam methodically tapes his fingers before taking the field.
An hour before kickoff, the Seahawks defensive backs including DeAndre Elliott, Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor and receivers coach Dave Canales prepared to take the field for pregame warmups.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Carson Went greeted each other at midfield.
Once on the plane for the trip to Seattle, linemen Mark Glowinski and Germain Ifedi were already reviewing game video with line coach Tom Cable.
Seahawks including Kelcie McCray (left), Russell Wilson and others salute receiver Tyler Lockett who finished off his 75-yard touchdown with a basketball celebration in the end zone.
Just before 10am, safety Earl Thomas arrives for work in a pink overcoat as the Seahawks honored Breast Cancer Awareness month during the game by wearing pink accessories with their uniforms.
Seahawks head coach speaks with Atlanta head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn after the hard-fought contest.
Kevin Pierre-Louis sports a holiday sweater featuring the "Crying Jordan" meme as he heads to the bus for the trip to Green Bay in Week 14.
Seahawks players cast long shadows in the late October sun as they walk to the airplane for the flight back to Seattle.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the team in the quiet locker room after the game.
Bobby Wagner gets ready to run out of the tunnel during introductions.
Michael Bennett leads a cheer as the team celebrates in the locker room after the game.
The defensive backs get pumped in their pregame circle.
A member of the military helps hold the American flag aloft during the playing of the national anthem prior to kickoff.
Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett signals to the crowd as he is helped to a cart to be taken off the field after injuring his leg in the second quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin kneels and prays in the end zone after his touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Waiting at midfield was a table with memorabilia from their relationship and a marriage proposal from Brock. She said yes, as friends and family watched from afar.
As light snow falls, Jeron Johnson uses his camera phone to record himself, Kam Chancellor and Mike Morgan as they prepare to board the Delta charter.
The weather was much milder upon landing in San Jose as Michael Bennett descends the stairs from the aircraft.
Back in the locker room Jarran Reed gets ready in the final moments before the team left the locker room for kickoff.
Defensive end Frank Clark corrals the loose ball.
At game's end head coaches Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll met at midfield.
Free safety Earl Thomas returned to CenturyLink Field for the first time since injuring his leg, and he joined his Legion of Boom teammates outside the locker room for their pregame huddle.
Cornerback DeShawn Shead walks through fog and lasers as he waits for his name to be called during pregame introductions.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman offers a wave and a smile to the media during his postgame press conference.
Between quarters, former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was spotted talking to teammates on the sidelines including Michael Bennett.
Safety Kam Chancellor fires up the team as they circle around him moments before taking the field for kickoff.
Michael Bennett lets out a yell with teammates at the end of their postgame gathering in the locker room after the win.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter on a sunny autumn Friday for the cross-country trip to New Jersey for the game against the New York Jets.
