The NFL Draft is set to take place, digitally, beginning on April 23, and as things stand now, the Seahawks are scheduled to pick 27th in the first round, and hold seven picks overall. Starting this week, Seahawks.com is taking a position-by-position look at where things currently stand on the Seahawks' roster, as well as the top prospects at each position. We'll also look at Seattle's draft history at each position under general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.
So far we've looked at quarterback and cornerback, and today we turn our attention to receiver. Check back tomorrow for a look at where things stand at safety.
Seattle's 2020 Draft Picks: Round 1, No. 27 overall; Round 2, No. 59 overall; Round 2, No. 64 overall; Round 3, No. 101 overall; Round 4, No. 133 overall; Round 4, No. 144 overall; Round 6, No. 214 overall.
Draft History Under Carroll & Schneider: Golden Tate (No. 60 overall, 2010), Jameson Konz (No. 245, 2010), Kris Durham (No. 107, 2011), Chris Harper (No. 123, 2013), Paul Richardson (No. 45, 2014), Kevin Norwood (No. 123, 2014), Tyler Lockett (No. 69, 2015), Kenny Lawler (No. 243, 2016), Amara Darboh (No. 106, 2017), David Moore (No. 226, 2017), DK Metcalf (No. 64, 2019), Gary Jennings (No. 120, 2019), John Ursua (No. 236, 2019).
Where The Seahawks Stand
In Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, the Seahawks have a dynamic starting duo at receiver, one that combined for 1,957 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Last year's production was impressive enough on its own, but when you consider that Lockett was limited at times both by a leg contusion and a serious bout with the flu, and that Metcalf put up 58 catches for 900 yards as a rookie, there's even more reason for optimism about what that duo can produce going forward.
In today's NFL, however, three-receiver sets are a common occurrence for most teams, and the Seahawks are no exception, so somebody aside from Metcalf and Lockett is going to be expected to step into a big role in 2020.
The question then is who that player will be for the Seahawks this season. David Moore has been one of Seattle's top three or four receivers for most of the past two seasons, and the Seahawks tendered him as a restricted free agent, so he should be back to compete. A couple of other returning candidates are Malik Turner, who was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent, and 2019 seventh-round pick John Ursua.
The Seahawks also made a move in free agency, signing speedy former Colts and Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett II, a 2015 first-round pick out of Miami. So between returning players and the addition of Dorsett, there are plenty of good options to compete for playing time behind Lockett and Metcalf. That being said, there's reason to believe that the Seahawks could still go shopping for a receiver in the draft. For starters, they have a history of addressing that position pretty regularly, having selected 13 receivers in 10 drafts under Carroll and Schneider. And this draft class is thought to be particularly deep when it comes to the receiver class, so even if the Seahawks feel good about the talent already in place, there could be an opportunity to make that group even stronger in the draft.
NFL.com's Top 5 Receivers
1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Overview (via NFL.com): Explosive, three-level playmaker and vital cog in one of the most potent offensive machines in college football over the last three seasons. Lamb uses speed and separation quickness to dominate competition in a scheme that frequently created open throws in space. His routes will need to become more efficient and crisp to beat man-to-man coverage against NFL size and speed, but his ball skills and explosiveness with the ball in his hand should allow teams to scheme him into explosive opportunities right away. Lamb has the potential to play any of the three receiver positions as a pro and should benefit greatly from the NFL's continued movement toward college-style passing attacks.
2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Overview (via NFL.com): Mixes tight, crisp route-running with impressive top-end speed to keep secondaries on eggshells throughout the game. Jeudy is high-cut and a little leggy in his press release and short-area movements, but fluid hips and above-average agility prevent any stagnation. He's a linear route specialist with a great feel for leveraging and then stemming defenders away from his food on intermediate and deep passes. The hands need work and contested catches will be much more challenging against bigger, faster matchups across from him. Jeudy can play inside or outside but offers a unique ability to both widen or lengthen the field from the slot. His transition from deep threat to volume target in 2019 should help sell teams on his ability to become a pro-Bowl caliber WR1 who can help his offense on all three levels.
3. Henry Ruggs III
Overview (via NFL.com): Ruggs' speed alone helps both the running and passing games because it forces safeties into more passive positioning. He can work all three levels and his ability to turn slants and crossing routes into big gainers could make him the favorite gift under the tree for a quarterback and offense in need of an explosive weapon. He has quick, sure hands to handle off-target throws, but learning to release, separate and catch against physical NFL cornerbacks could require an adjustment period. He won't rack up the targets, but has explosive speed and talent to imprint on games with regularity.
4. Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
Overview (via NFL.com): "2 Live" is both talented and stoic as a three-level threat with outstanding physical traits and ball skills. He offers explosive playmaking potential with strength/wiggle to house a short catch-and-run throw or race and leap to pull in a bomb downfield. Shenault shines as a phone-booth bully who's able to body up and create late windows while securing throws with vice-grip hands. Evaluators get excited by his talent as a direct-snap runner, but sometimes he's too physical for his own good, which could bring his history of durability into play. Despite his traits and talent, there is work to be done as route-runner and coordinators need to determine how best to use him. He's a high-end talent, but not a sure thing. An exciting ceiling but a lower floor.
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson
Overview (via NFL.com): Long, angular frame with cheat-code body control and ball skills when attacking downfield. Higgins is leggy getting off of the press, but those same leggy strides are weapons of separation that help create big plays. He's played all three receiver spots and can be moved around to match up against cornerbacks. His size and "above the rim" talent make him a uniquely dangerous playmaker deep and in the red zone. The transition to NFL press corners will be an early challenge that could take some time to solve, but he's an instinctive ball-winner whose traits should win out and make him a very good NFL starter.
