Paul Richardson knows he has to use speed to make up for lack of size

Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver Paul Richardson has a huge amount of upside, and the Seahawks, in general, do a very good job of taking young players they have drafted with strong physical tools and turning them into impact players. Richardson was taken in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and was one of the most explosive wide receiver prospects in a draft class that was incredibly deep at the position. P-Rich has drawn comparisons to DeSean Jackson due to his playmaking ability, and he has the ability to generate YAC and make plays downfield.

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With Percy Harvin now a member of the New York Jets, Richardson has been widely tabbed as the “next man up” for the Seahawks offense, as he is the team’s fastest receiver. That said, he is a raw player and has size concerns. According to the Seattle Times’s Jayson Jenks, Richardson knows he has to use his speed to compensate for his lack of size, “I am still a fast guy, and that’s nothing I can hide. I have to use my speed and quickness to my advantage to compensate for my size. I think I’ve been able to adjust to the physicality because the only way you can see or feel how physical another guy is if they’re able to get their hands on you. If you can keep their hands off you, you’ll never get exposed.”

Richardson caught four passes for 33 yards against the St. Louis Rams in the team’s first game without Harvin, and he was held to just two receptions for 20 yards last week against the Carolina Panthers. He’s going to have plenty of games where his impact is minimal, as he’s a rookie learning the ropes and builds his game off of breaking big plays. Those will come, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has at least one huge play tomorrow against the Oakland Raiders.