The Seahawks clearly must have seen something in Tyler Lockett to trade four draft picks to select the speedy, versatile player from Kansas State.
"He's got the knack -- he's got the big play nature to him," head coach Pete Carroll said of Lockett. "His attitude is perfect for wanting to jump in there. I would imagine he catches the first kickoff of the season. He will compete to prove that, but it is hard to imagine anyone can out-do him back there."
That was Carroll just alluding to Lockett's potential impact on special teams. His abilities as a receiver may have been overlooked just a little, but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has taken note that Lockett can provide so much more in 2015.
"There was so much talk about the special-teams aspect that it kind of took precedence," Bevell said. "After watching him the first day, it's like, 'Oh, this guy's not just a kick returner. This guy's the full package.'"
"He's going to be a big factor at wide receiver. He's going to be able to play in the slot, he makes big plays, he's got great quickness, great speed, he can make people miss."
The Seahawks' run game, due in large part to Marshawn Lynch, has received its fair share of attention during the team's dominance over the last couple years. The passing game, however, has been almost an afterthought. Russell Wilson just hasn't had a true No. 1 option during his tenure in Seattle.
But all that has changed. Now the Seahawks have a number of weapons to use: Jimmy Graham, Lockett, Super Bowl breakout star Chris Matthews, plus Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Paul Richardson. It's certainly not a bad situation for Seattle to have heading into 2015.
Envision what Lockett can do with defenses keying on Graham and Lynch, or worrying about Wilson either throwing or scrambling.
Though just a rookie, Lockett gives them another playmaker that is expected to contribute in more ways than one.
(h/t Sportspress Northwest)
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