NFL Seattle Seahawks

Doug Baldwin Becoming An Elite Receiver For Seattle Seahawks

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Doug Baldwin Seattle Seahawks

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Before the season started, there was little doubt, barring injury, that Percy Harvin would lead the Seattle Seahawks in receiving. The dynamic playmaker was going to be a big factor in Seattle’s passing game, especially with short screen passes that would be turned into big gains. He would provide an elite weapon as a slot receiver in a passing attack that lacked any elite receivers.

Two months into the season, however, Harvin is no longer on the roster after a sudden trade to the New York Jets. It’s evident that acquiring the former Minnesota Vikings star in the first place was a huge mistake by the organization, but there is one player who is directly benefiting from Harvin’s departure. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin has slid into the slot — his more natural role — and is quickly becoming quarterback Russell Wilson‘s favorite target.

The fourth-year receiver out of Stanford University was the team’s leading receiver as an undrafted rookie in 2011 when he compiled 788 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 51 receptions. When Wilson became the starting quarterback in 2012, Baldwin’s targets decreased in favor of Sidney Rice and Golden Tate. In 2013 he was able to basically replicate his rookie numbers, catching 50 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns, but Tate still led the Seahawks in receiving.

Despite the decrease in his numbers, Baldwin was becoming a more complete receiver the past two seasons. With both Rice’s retirement and Tate’s move to the Detroit Lions in the offseason, Baldwin is now the most experienced receiver in a very young position group for Seattle. It’s no wonder why Wilson loves throwing the ball to his starting slot receiver.

While his season statistics won’t show it, Baldwin is also becoming an elite player at his position. In the two games since Harvin was traded away, the Stanford-product has hauled in 13 passes for for 184 yards and a touchdown. He’s on pace for career highs in both receptions (66) and receiving yards (848), but he could surpass those stats because his targets have drastically increased after Week 6 (the Harvin trade). Baldwin has 18 targets the past two weeks.

In Seattle’s balanced attack, it’s unlikely that Baldwin will ever put up “elite” numbers. However, he can still be an elite player, and the Seahawks know it. There’s a reason why they signed him to a new three-year, $13 million contract in the offseason. He’s about to earn every penny.

Connor Frederickson is a Seattle Seahawks Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @cfredrun or add him to your network on Google.

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