Seattle Seahawks: 5 Players who need to improve in 2019 season

Tyler Lockett, WR

I routinely called Tyler Lockett out last offseason and went as far to say that his current contract was unwarranted based on his limited offensive skill-set. Lockett proceeded to have the best year of his career, setting personal bests in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. So, I was wrong about Lockett. He can function as a key option within the Seahawks offense and can be a top two option on the team.

All of that being said, Lockett will have to step his game up again, this time in 2019. Entering his fifth season out of Kansas State, the former All-Pro return man is now the No. 1 option in Seattle. With Doug Baldwin playing while injured most of last season and then being cut after it was revealed the compounding injuries were effectively ending his career, Lockett is now the top wide receiver on the Seahawks, and he’ll be expected to produce like one.

Lockett finished last season with 57 receptions, 965 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers aren’t bad, but how do they compare to a true top receiver’s stats?

From 2014-17, (his healthy seasons as a full-time starter) Baldwin averaged 78 receptions, 1,003 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per season. That means Lockett was fairly close when it comes to yards and actually topped Baldwin’s average in touchdowns, but there’s a huge difference when it comes to receptions.

Lockett primarily plays as a speed receiver with an emphasis on his deep-threat ability. Other players like DeSean Jackson and Mike Wallace have used a similar style in the past and made the Pro Bowl. So, Lockett’s style doesn’t limit his ability to succeed so much as it might limit the offense’s ability to succeed. In the past, Baldwin was the primary option and could get open on routes at all levels of the field, but Lockett hasn’t been that go-to guy on short yardage situations.

With a lot of young receivers joining the team, there’s hope Lockett will develop a more complete game as a receiver and continue to increase his yardage total this coming season.