The Seattle Seahawks wide receiving corps boasts high-end talent, even without D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
So Seattle-based radio host, and former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard, is looking forward to seeing where the Seahawks wideouts end up when the team’s 53-man roster is announced in about seven weeks.
Seattle traded Metcalf to Pittsburgh, and Lockett signed with the Tennessee Titans after he was released. But Seattle added former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp and ex-Kansas City Chiefs wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling to join No. 1 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Why Does Brock Huard Believe The Wide Receiver Battle Will Be ‘Fierce?’
Speaking on his “Brock and Salk” radio show alongside fill-in co-host and fellow former NFL player Bryan Walters, Huard addressed the potentially intense matchups between the depth wideouts after Smith-Njigba, Kupp and Valdes-Scantling.
Beyond that trio, there are four players available for two spots. Fifth-round draft pick from Colorado State Tory Horton seems likely to land a spot, and Jake Bobo, a fan favorite and 6-4, 207-pound physical player is probably the frontrunner for No. 5. But Cody White, Ricky White III, Dareke Young and Steven Sims are also in the mix.
“This might be the most competitive [position] group,” Huard said. “I think a bunch of those guys that are fighting for that spot or two are making sure they keep themselves in shape.”
How Many Wide Receivers Will Make The Seahawks 53-Man Roster?
Walters, who spent one season (2014) with the Seahawks in his four-year NFL career, predicted Seattle to be stingy while picking receivers for its opening-day roster.
“I think they’re only gonna keep five wideouts,” Walters said. “Because this offense with Kubiak, he’s gonna be in double tight ends, he’s gonna be more run-heavy, he’s gonna have that fullback involved. You’re not gonna have the four-wideout formations, the five-wideout spread.
“So I think you’re gonna only see five wideouts. … It’s gonna be a battle.”
Walters predicted, aside from the obvious three, for Bobo and Horton to see their names on the Seahawks roster, with Young the alternate, potentially practice-squad player, in case there is injury.
“What I like about [Bobo] is he can play everywhere,” Walters said. “Is he the fastest guy? No. Can he make the plays? Absolutely.
“That is such a big thing. Being a backup wide receiver … that’s going to win you a spot. … If you know the offense and coaches can trust you, that’s going to put you over the top.”
Walters also referenced the guessing game coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider will be going through. With talented, yet relatively unknown players, the Seahawks may also need to be strategic about who they can retain for the practice squad.
“A lot of the strategy is to keep as many as you can,” Walters said. “The front office is going to say ‘how many teams are interested in Cody White [or] Dareke Young?’ Can we get these guys back? That’s going to determine if they can get them on the practice squad.
“What gives us our best chance to keep this group all together.”
