Free Agent Finds: Wide Receiver
Oddly enough, the 2017 Seattle Seahawks will enter the 2017 season with the Receiving Corp being one of the strengths of the team. Pro Bowler Doug Baldwin anchors the group, and Tyler Lockett has emerged as an excellent WR as well as return man.
Whether or not Lockett will be ready by Week 1 is still up in the air. After Lockett’s injury, former 2nd round pick Paul Richardson helped fill the void, and had one of the most memorable performances in Seahawks history against Detroit in the Wild Card round.
“No longer fan favorite” Jermaine Kearse will also return, as well as Kasen Williams, Tanner McEvoy, and Kevin Smith. Seattle is unlikely to dive into the Alshon Jeffery or Pierre Garcon pool, as the team has more pressing needs to fill in free agency.
It is more likely that if Seattle adds to the room, it will come via the draft, but more on that later. Lets take a look at the most logical options that could call Seattle home in the fall.
Cordarrelle Patterson- Believe it or not, Patterson could price himself out of Seattle. The 25 year old first round has always had freakish skills, but has had concentration and drop problems. While he will never be a complete receiver, he is a playmaker both on offense and special teams.
A two time Pro Bowler as a kick returner, Patterson has racked up 4075 return yards and scored 5 return touchdowns in 4 year. Though he has only managed 132 catches for 1316 yards, Patterson also provides some versatility in the run game, and on 31 career carries has netted 333 yards.
Patterson could be the Seahawks second chance at Percy Harvin, a player with the style that Offensive Coordinator Darrel Bevel seems to love. Most seems to think Patterson will get $4-$6 million per year, which might knock him out of consideration for John Schneider.
Anquan Boldin- Ah yes our old friend from Arizona and San Francisco. Boldin is, to be polite, old. He is no longer the player he was, even in 2013, let alone 2006. But old means cheap, and Boldin still has a role to fill in Seattle.
Boldin is a big body WR, who has been extremely durable throughout his career. Last season, at the age of 36, Boldin still managed to haul in 67 passes for 584 yards and 8 TD’s. He is a physical presence outside, and is a savvy run blocker and route runner.
Whether or not Boldin would play in the Seahawks locker room is the x-factor, but Boldin is well respected around the league, and for roughly $2 million, could add some leadership and maturity to the 2017 squad.
Marquise Goodwin- Speed. World Class Speed. Goodwin isn’t just football fast, he is Olympic sprinter fast. A burner can work in this “play-action and take a shot” offense, and adding him to Tyler Lockett and Paul Richardson would give the Seahawks the fast WR room in the league.
Jeremy Kerley- The former TCU standout and San Francisco 49er has bounced around the league a bit, but found some success in 2016. He hauled in 64 passes for 667 yards while the disastrous Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick tossed him the rock.
He is expected to sign a 1 or 2 year deal for roughly $3 million per.
As I stated earlier, the Seahawks are not going to spend big in free agency, at least not at this position. The draft is loaded with talented young receivers, who provide significantly more value than an overpaid veteran.
Tomorrow we look at the Tight End position, and try and find a replacement for Luke Willson … or maybe Jimmy Graham.
