By re-signing Jermaine Kearse in free agency, the Seahawks assured themselves continuity at a position that finished the 2015 season playing at an incredibly high level, and barring something unlikely happening between now and September, the trio of Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett and Kearse figures to again lead the way at receiver in 2016. How things shake out beyond those three players, however, is still unknown at this point, not because the Seahawks lack talent, but rather because they love their depth at receiver and are going to have some tough decisions to make when it comes time to set the 53-man roster.
"I'm really fired up about the receiver group and the guys coming back," Carroll said at the end of offseason workouts. "Russell [Wilson] has so much confidence in the guys that he's played with and that's great, but that second level of guys that are fighting for this roster spot, there's a bunch of guys that look good and could do some good stuff."
| Returning starters: |
Doug Baldwin |
| Additions: |
Kenny Lawler (seventh-round pick) |
|
Key losses: |
Ricardo Lockette (retired) |
|
Last season: |
The initial 53-man roster included six receivers: Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette, Chris Matthews, B.J. Daniels |
What's At Stake In Training Camp
The Seahawks opened last season with six receivers on the roster, a pretty common number for them in recent years, and if that is the number again this year when cut-day comes, give or take a receiver, some very tough decisions will have to be made.
While Baldwin, Kearse and Lockett figure again to be the focal points of the passing game, there are plenty of talented players, the "second-level guys," as Carroll put it, fighting for opportunities, and unfortunately not enough jobs for everyone to make the team. Kevin Smith and Kasen Williams both worked their way up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster last season, and looked to have taken another step forward in offseason workouts this year. Paul Richardson, a second-round pick in 2014, is eager to show what he can do when healthy after missing almost all of last season, and seventh-round pick Kenny Lawler has flashed in early workouts as well, particularly with his catching ability. Douglas McNeil III, Deshon Foxx and Antwan Goodley, all former practice squad members, have also shown potential in offseason workouts, as has free-agent addition Tyler Slavin.
The competition for jobs at receiver is still wide open at this point, and it will also figures to be one of the most tightly-contested battles in camp.
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Check out the best photos of Seahawks wide receivers from the team's 2016 offseason workout program.
