Seattle Seahawks: Doug Baldwin needs to return to Pro Bowl form

After a year littered with injuries, Doug Baldwin has all offseason to get healthy so he can come back and help the Seattle Seahawks offense.

The Seattle Seahawks rediscovered the running game in 2018 and the offense hinged on Chris Carson for most of the season. While the passing game wasn’t as featured or necessary as in past seasons, no team can win major games by just running the ball anymore. There has to be a balanced attack and the Seahawks had some very one dimensional games in 2018.

While Russell Wilson is one of the best players at his position, the quarterback needs some weapons in the passing game. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who signed a three-year extension last offseason, took a huge step forward in 2018, but the team was missing one particular contributor. Doug Baldwin, the third leading receiver in franchise history, started 13 games for Seattle last season, but he was hampered by injuries the whole time and it showed.

The two-time Pro Bowler averaged 82 receptions, 1,062 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns per season from 2015-17. In that span, he averaged five receptions and 66.4 receiving yards per game. In 2018 he recorded just 50 receptions, 618 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns. He averaged just under four receptions and 47.5 receiving yards per game. The only other season where Baldwin didn’t record at least 700 yards came in 2012, his sophomore year in the NFL.

2018 was an off year for Baldwin, but he played through injuries and showed the grit he’s known for. Since going undrafted in 2011, he’s always played with a chip on his shoulder. The desire he has to play and win is obvious, but the Seahawks are hoping to see his production come back in 2019.

While the team can rely on Carson to literally carry the load, there aren’t many aerial threats in Seattle. Besides Baldwin, Lockett is the most notable pass catcher on the team. He had a career year in 2018, setting personal bests in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He led the team in yards last season.

Baldwin was second and David Moore finishes third with 445 yards. It isn’t exactly the most star-studded receiving corps. Not to mention that each receiver has his own specialty and one not playing well makes it harder on the others.

Lockett is more of a home run hitter than a traditional route runner. He’s incredibly quick and knows how to take the top off of defenses. That’s why he averaged 16.9 yards per reception last season. In contrast, Baldwin averaged 12.4 yards per reception. He plays a role similar to Jarvis Landry while Lockett is more along the line of a young Mike Wallace.

The Seahawks should strive to have Baldwin and Lockett working together on the field as much as possible. The two have never had a successful season together, one has always been injured or playing subpar. Getting these two guys and Wilson on the same page will give the Seahawks a one-two aerial punch.

Where Seattle missed a healthy Baldwin the most though was in the playoffs. Against the Dallas Cowboys, he recorded just three receptions for 32 yards. Lockett had a great game, but, with the running game not working, Seattle needed both receivers to go off. The Seahawks just aren’t the same team when Baldwin isn’t playing well.