The next team up in a series that will answer one important 4-EYED fantasy question, from each of the 32 clubs in the NFL heading into the 2020 season, is the Seattle Seahawks.
I am a huge fan of slot production. Projecting is far from easy, and far too many people forget to dig into the slot while doing their projections. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. If you take the time to research running back, wide receiver, and tight end, you’re doing yourself a disservice by ignoring the slot. It is a position of its own, so we must treat it as such.
Seattle’s Slot Production
Sorry to all the DK fans out there, but this will be a pro-Tyler Lockett piece. The Seahawks had 1,269 yards from the slot via wide receivers in 2019. Seahawks wide receivers scored 11 touchdowns from the slot a year ago. Russel Wilson began his NFL career in 2012. During Russel Wilson’s tenure, 2012 is the only year in which Seattle hasn’t produced at least 1,000 total yards from the slot. Tyler Lockett nearly tripled the slot targets of any other Seahawks receiver in 2019. Even with DK Metcalf emerging as a solid fantasy asset, TD Lockett’s value should not be affected. Seattle’s top option has put up absurd numbers while lining from the slot over the last five seasons.
2015: Baldwin (83 targets, 69 receptions, 1,007 yards, 12 TD)2016: Baldwin (77 targets, 66 receptions, 653 yards, 4 TD)
2017: Baldwin (66 targets, 45 receptions, 655 yards, 5 TDs)
2018: Baldwin in 13 games (44 targets, 27 receptions, 285 yards, 5 TDs)
– Lockett chipped in 26 receptions for 454 yards and 5 TDs on 29 targets
2019: Lockett (74 targets, 56 receptions, 770 yards, 6 TDs)
Seattle’s top slot receiver has at least 55 catches, 650 yards, and four touchdowns from the slot in four of the last five seasons. Baldwin and Locket had a banged up 2018, or we may be saying five of the last five seasons saw that production. In 2015, Doug Baldwin produced over 1,000 yards from the slot alone and tacked on 12 touchdowns!
The Verdict
Russ is ELITE and absolutely loves throwing to the slot!
“TD” Lockett led the league with six touchdowns from the slot along with Mecole Hardman and Marquise Brown. Lockett’s 770 yards from the slot last season ranked fourth in the NFL. In 2019, Lockett produced 1,057 yards, 82 receptions, and eight touchdowns on 110 targets. Over his previous two seasons, Lockett has racked up 139 receptions, 2,022 yards, and 18 touchdowns. The chemistry between Lockett and QB Russel Wilson looks to continue into the 2020 season. If three 2019 games with double-digit receptions doesn’t speak to the strength of their chemistry, I’m not sure what will.
So where will Tyler Lockett finish the end of the 2020 season? He has played a full season in four of the five years in the league. The emergence of D.K. Metcalf will keep Lockett out of the WR1 conversation that he managed to enter at points last season. I see no reason for Lockett to not finish as a Top 25 WR this season. Touchdowns are volatile, but when it comes to Russ and Lockett, I’ll take them to the bank. Can Lockett produce a third straight season with eight or more touchdowns?
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