Making the case for Freddie Swain as the Seahawks’ new No. 3 WR
Apr 12, 2021, 1:22 PM | Updated: 1:24 pm
Freddie Swain had two touchdown on 13 catches as a rookie in 2020. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seahawks have made additions at several positions throughout the offseason, including in some cases where they lost a player and needed to fill a hole. Wide receiver, however, is one spot where Seattle has lost a player and not made a subsequent addition.
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David Moore, who was Seattle’s clear No. 3 option at wide receiver, left for the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Will the Seahawks make a move in free agency or the NFL Draft to find the next option after DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett?
If they don’t, former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus has faith in second-year wideout Freddie Swain.
While guest hosting with Stacy Rost on Monday’s edition of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake and Stacy, Bumpus made the case during the daily Four-Down Territory for Swain getting a chance at a bigger role in 2021.
“Freddie Swain can be Seattle’s third receiver simply because he knows all the positions out there when it comes to catching the rock,” Bumpus said. “The first thing you have to do as a receiver, as an athlete, is to get coaches to trust you, and I heard Pete Carroll talk about this guy – he can play any position, he’s ready to go.”
WIDE OPEN!
Rookie @Freddie_iball2 gets his first NFL touchdown!
📺: Watch live on NBC pic.twitter.com/Yf8aLX9dVY
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 21, 2020
As a rookie last year, the 2020 sixth-round pick out of Florida had his moments, showing enough that Bumpus feels he’s opened the door to get more opportunities.
“He had an OK season – 21 targets, 13 catches, 159 yards, two touchdowns – and that’s with being like the fourth, maybe even fifth receiver at times. Imagine what this guy can do if he’s actually the No. 3 receiver.”
Bumpus doesn’t expect the spot to be handed to Swain, however.
“Now he’s going to have some competition. (New Seahawks tight end) Gerald Everett could be a No. 3 receiver – he can line up anywhere – and we’ll see what they do in the draft. But Freddie Swain has shown that he can catch the ball in traffic, he has good run after the catch, and he has a nose for the end zone. … If they don’t draft a receiver or bring somebody in, you give Freddie a chance and see what happens.”
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