Seahawks receiver room grows strong, but Tyler Lockett still has a place

Ryan Grubb is the brand new offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks. Connor Williams is the brand new beginning middle, whereas George Fant seems to be headed in the direction of a proper deal with beginning job to open the season, as probably Laken Tomlinson at left guard.

Almost every little thing else on offense has carryover from current years previous.

And thus, the perfect expectation for Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks longest-tenured participant, will not be one thing new, however a return to the acquainted.

We’re in search of 2018 Tyler Lockett this yr.

DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Geno Smith, Noah Fant, Charles Cross, Kenneth Walker III, heck even some guys like Jake Bobo – all coming back from final yr.

However with the suitable pleasure round what Smith’s deep ball can do with final yr’s NCAA’s most attention-grabbing coordinator, I’m taking a look at Lockett to take a step – not ahead, however again in the direction of when he first broke out as a possible primary receiver.

2018 was on the peak of the “pedestrian receiver” period. Seattle received video games not with quantity of passing however effectiveness of pass-catchers.

2018 was the proper passer ranking season, when Russell Wilson to Lockett resulted in a 158.3 ranking for your entire season.

Lockett did all that on solely 70 targets.

Lockett’s been a stable 110+ target-sharer since that season, with 2023 seeing 122 targets go Lockett’s method, the second-most of his profession.

I don’t anticipate that to be the case this season.

Nor ought to or not it’s.

Smith-Njigba had 63 receptions on 93 targets final yr. I firmly consider Shane Waldron might have been jailed for 48 hours for the best way he was used. His proportion share ought to improve, because it ought to for the quantity 20 general choose.

I contend that Lockett might drop his target-share considerably and nonetheless be wickedly efficient. There are nonetheless some issues he does in addition to anybody within the league.

Sure routes, particularly as a result of he’s the grasp of last-minute separation, stay in Lockett’s wheelhouse.

That’s not the most effective angle, however that sport towards the Arizona Cardinals might be my favourite Tyler sport of all time. A number of occasions in that sport he did that factor he does the place he solely obtained an inch of separation on the finish, for an inch ‘twas all that was wanted.

He did it final yr, too.

Additionally of word in 2018: his 965 yards on solely 57 completions was the best Yard per Catch of his profession. He additionally had zero drops, and his yards after catch was the bottom of his profession as a starter – till final season.

The Seahawks don’t want Lockett to be something he’s by no means been earlier than. He’s dependable. He’s nice deep, he’s nice on third down. He can catch it and torpedo straight to the turf all yr for all I care.

Lockett’s going to show 32 in Week 4, and because the two younger stars come on robust, I feel there’s a superbly vital position for him on this offense which may simply be extra bang, much less buck.