Seahawks position breakdown: receivers, tight ends

Here’s the second part of my seven-part series looking at where the Seahawks stand heading into the offseason, position by position. Salary numbers for 2016 are courtesy of OverTheCap.com. Players signed to futures contracts are not included. Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team. Restricted free agents can either have offers matched by Seattle, or the Seahawks receive compensation. Exclusive rights free agents are under team control unless not offered a contract.

WIDE RECEIVER

Under contract

Doug Baldwin ($5,600,000)

Paul Richardson ($1,285, 319)

Tyler Lockett ($776,688)

Kevin Smith ($525,000)

Kasen Williams ($450,000)

Unrestricted free agent

Jermaine Kearse

Restricted free agent

Ricardo Lockette

The skinny: The Seahawks, long considered to be deficient at receiver, are actually in pretty good shape. Baldwin emerged as a legitimate No. 1 option this season, while Lockett had a rookie season that marks him as a future star. Adding a healthy Richardson to the mix — which is no guarantee, as he has a history of injuries — could make for an explosive trio.

Baldwin is entering the final season of his contract, so he’ll likely be looking to renegotiate and will be in line for a substantial raise. This will strain the salary cap.

What happens with Kearse? The Seahawks could really use him back as a trio of Baldwin, Lockett and Richardson would be tiny, while Kearse offers a somewhat bigger target. It will be interesting to see what Kearse demands on the open market. He’s been very valuable for Seattle, but has he done enough (49 catches for 685 yards and five touchdowns this season) to convince another team he’s worth a big-money contract? Hard to say. And if anyone is going to give the Seahawks a hometown discount, you’d think it would be the local kid (though his agent has said there will be no discount).

Lockette is an unknown, as it’s still not known whether he’ll be able to come back from his neck injury.

If the Seahawks are able to re-sign Kearse, receiver should not be a priority either in free agency or the draft.

TIGHT END

Under contract

Jimmy Graham ($9,000,000)

Luke Willson ($719,633)

Unrestricted free agents

Chase Coffman

Anthony McCoy

Exclusive rights free agent

Cooper Helfet

The skinny: Graham should be back from his season-ending knee injury, so that would add another weapon to Seattle’s offensive arsenal next season. On the other hand, Graham is due a lot of money next season, and none of it is guaranteed. Seattle’s offense didn’t suffer one bit in Graham’s absence, so cutting Graham loose would free up all $9 million under the cap. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has talked about how excited he is to get Graham back, so I doubt Seattle would release Graham. But it’s at least worth pointing out.

Willson has shown his value to the team, either as a starter or as the No. 2. He has a cap-friendly number, too, but as he’s entering the final season of his contract he’s probably looking for an upgrade. There’s no guarantee the team will keep any of the other three.

As long as Graham is around tight end will not be a priority acquisition. But neither Graham nor Willson is known for his blocking, so a blocking specialist could be a useful addition.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.