Seattle Seahawks: Doug Baldwin is right about Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has been one of the league’s most efficient wideouts on a per-target basis over the past couple of seasons, and he’s an underrated possession guy who fits in as an ideal “Z” with good hands, strength, and plenty of smarts. So yeah, Baldwin knows a thing or two about playing the position, so if he’s praising a wide receiver effusively, then it seems like a pretty good idea to hear him out.

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Baldwin recently gave fans a Facebook update about the Seahawks first portion of training camp, and the most interesting nuggets came when he spoke about the state of his own position.I agree with his assertion that the ‘Hawks have the “best receiving core” Baldwin’s ever played with, because even though there’s no Golden Tate out there like in 2013, youngsters Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, and even Kevin Norwood and Chris Matthews bring plenty of upside to the table for this unit. Richardson didn’t earn any praise, but that’s only because he’s on the active/PUP as he recovers from an ACL tear.

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But while Richardson can bring explosive playmaking ability to the table upon his return, the guy everyone wants to know about is Lockett, who could make a huge impact as a rookie for this team. Lockett earned some lofty comparisons to Antonio Brown, who is possibly the best wide receiver in the NFL right now, as a draft prospect, and that’s because he’s a small, shifty receiver with excellent route-running.

His route-running ability, in fact, has already impressed the Seahawks organization, as per the Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell, and it’s what could make him as high as No. 2 on the WR depth chart behind Baldwin. That all remains to be seen with Lockett, but it’s hard not to like a guy who had excellent tape at Kansas State and is explosive enough to be an impact kick-off returner.

Many have cited his return ability as the primary reason for the Seahawks decision to trade up for him, and while his returning could be huge for this team, do you really think they moved up for a top “sleeper” WR prospect just for his work on special teams? Like some draftniks, I’m sure the Seahawks see much more in Lockett.

It seems like Baldwin is in that boat, too, because he saved his strongest praise for the 5’10”, 182-pound, who could replace Tate had Seattle’s next great punt returner. Baldwin wrote that Lockett “can be something special”, and even though he misspelled the rookie’s name, he never mentioned “Ricardo Lockette“, so it’s safe to say that he was talking about the former Wildcat.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Training camp praise of rookies generally isn’t seen as notable, but I’m definitely filing this piece of information away as something that serves my agenda, which is hyping up a player who was phenomenal in college. Tyler Lockett ran the forty in 4.40 seconds with a 4.07 20-yard shuttle time and an 11.14 60-yard shuttle time. His speed, quickness, and explosiveness can be seen in those numbers, and he has the route-running smarts and change-of-direction ability to make an immediate impact in this league.

Lockett’s lack of size and strength are concerning, but the Seattle Seahawks should be able to find ways to get the most out of him. At worst, he’s a slot option who can make things happen in space and get open with his double-moves and excellent quickness. At best, he could be a game-changing talent at the position and on special teams, and it’s clear that the Seahawks are becoming increasingly high on him.

I like Baldwin’s call on Lockett’s upside, and no wide receiver- not even Richardson- should be watched more closely than the rookie this upcoming season. Jimmy Graham will undoubtedly lead the team in most receiving stats, Baldwin will be the No. 1 receiver, and Jermaine Kearse will have a well-defined role again in the final year of his deal.

But if Lockett isn’t at least the No. 3 receiver on the Seahawks depth chart with legit slot snaps, then I will be disappointed, because that means he’ll fall short of my expectations for him after seeing him in college, checking out his combine numbers, and hearing the training camp hype from Baldwin and beat writers.

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