Seahawks training camp position preview: Wide receivers

Jul 23, 2019, 8:07 PM | Updated: 8:12 pm

Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett posted career highs in yards and TDs in 2018. (AP)

(AP)

Seattle Sports

The Seahawks kick off training camp on July 25 and there’s plenty to sort out in the weeks leading up to the August 31 roster cutdown deadline. Today’s position preview focuses on the wide receivers — a group entering a season with plenty of young talent, but also without its longest-tenured veteran.

Key contributor

Tyler Lockett returns in 2019 as this team’s leader in receiving yards (965) and touchdowns (10). Quarterback Russell Wilson had a perfect passer rating when targeting Lockett last season. It’s a particularly impressive feat considering that Lockett was Wilson’s second-most targeted receiver behind Doug Baldwin. In fact, according to NFL Football Operations, since 2002 no other quarterback-receiver duo has maintained a perfect rating over more than 15 targets. It’s what makes Lockett Brock and Salk’s third-most intriguing Seahawk in 2019; however, it’s not for that feat reason alone. Following the departure of Baldwin, Lockett takes up the mantle of No. 1 receiver and is sure to see the the increased targets – and increased attention from defenses – that role brings.

What’s new?

A whole lot of young talent. DK Metcalf, Gary Jennings, John Ursua, Jazz Ferguson and Terry Wright are new additions in 2019. Metcalf, Jennings and Ursua are all drafted rookies, while Ferguson and Wright were signed as undrafted rookie free agents.

Breakout candidate

Lockett may be Brock and Salk’s third-most intriguing Seahawk, but no receiver is drawing more interest than rookie DK Metcalf, who became just the second wide receiver drafted by Seattle in the second round or higher since 2014. The Ole Miss standout captured national attention with his performance at this year’s scouting combine. His rare combination of size, strength and speed gives Seattle’s offense a new type of receiving threat. Metcalf has looked promising through rookie camp, OTAs and minicamp, and all eyes are sure to be on him when Seattle hosts the Broncos for their first preseason game on Aug. 8.

The full group:

Jaron Brown (age: 29; 6-3/204)
Amara Darboh (age: 25; 6-2/215)
Jazz Ferguson (age: 22; 6-5/228)
Gary Jennings (age: 22; 6-1/216)
Tyler Lockett (age: 26; 5-10/182)
DK Metcalf (age: 22; 6-3/229)
David Moore (age: 24; 6-0/215)
Keenan Reynolds (age: 25; 5-10/191)
Caleb Scott (age: 23; 6-2/203)
Malik Turner (age: 23; 6-2/202)
John Ursua (age: 25; 5-9/182)
Terry Wright (age: 22; 5-10/177)