The Seahawks are widely regarded as the best team in the NFL right now, but few people would name their wide receivers as a major reason for that. Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks’ No. 1 receiver, has just 663 receiving yards this season, ranking 33rd in the NFL. Wide receiver isn’t a major strength of Seattle.
Or is it? Baldwin says, contrary to what people think, that himself, Golden Tate, Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette and Percy Harvin comprise the best group of wide receivers in the NFL.
“I would have to tell you, honestly, that this is probably the best receiving corps in the NFL from the top down,” Baldwin told the team’s website. “Some would probably look at me like I’m crazy, because nobody has 1,000 yards.”
Yes, some would look at that as crazy. Certainly people in Denver, where Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker all have better stats than Baldwin, would say it’s crazy. People in Chicago, where Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall are both in the Top 10 in receiving yards, would say it’s crazy.
But Baldwin makes a good case when he points out that the Seahawks’ receivers don’t get as many opportunities as receivers on a lot of other teams.
“We don’t throw the ball often enough to get 1,000 yards,” he said.
Not that Baldwin is complaining.
“We have elite receivers – and yes, I said elite receivers – on this roster that are capable of doing so much more,” Baldwin said. “But we’re winning games, and that’s all that matters.”
Being the best team in the NFL is what really matters. And right now the Seahawks are that.