Seahawks rookie Richardson seeing increased role after Harvin trade

Paul Richardson’s season was shaping up like those of so many other rookie wide receivers who don’t see meaningful playing time in their first year.

At least it was until the trade of Percy Harvin created a vacancy in Seattle’s wide-receiver corps and bumped everyone else one spot up the depth chart. One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Richardson, who played sparingly before the trade but has since been one of the main receivers in Seattle’s rotation.

“It’s just been a learning experience,” he told 710 ESPN Seattle’s “The Huddle” on Thursday. “Just getting out there, getting my feet wet, and then getting presented the opportunity to start. I’m just having fun right now.”

Richardson played a total of 38 offensive snaps over the first four games. He was then inactive against Dallas in Week 6, Harvin’s final game with Seattle. Richardson has played an average of 47 snaps in each game since then, third-most behind Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. He has nine receptions in those games compared to one over the first five.

It took a few weeks, but the second-round pick has become more than just an understudy in Seattle’s wide-receiver corps.

“They told me that if they drafted me it wasn’t to come and watch, it was to come and make an effect,” Richardson said. “They’ve stayed true to that, so I appreciate that. Since I’ve been here I’ve had conversations with them and they’ve told me they brought me here to play. That’s what I do every week, just try to earn their confidence more and it’s working out.”

And not just on offense. Harvin’s departure also left an opening on kickoff return. Bryan Walters handled those duties against St. Louis but Richardson has done it the past two games, positing a 34.25-yard average on four returns.

“I enjoy doing kick return. I like that opportunity I was presented with,” he said. “I’m getting a feel for it now and pretty soon I’m going to hit one.”