Cade Johnson Should Not Be Overlooked in Seattle Seahawks’ Receiver Competition

The Seahawks have some actually intriguing depth items on the receiver place. Shortly after utilizing a pair of seventh-round draft picks on rookie cross catchers Bo Melton and Dareke Younger, Seattle went on so as to add veteran speedster Marquise Goodwin to a bunch already bolstered by acquainted faces like Cody Thompson and Penny Hart. 

Between these 5 names, the competitors for one—perhaps two—roster spot(s) is already fairly congested. However the Seahawks have much more wideouts able to making some noise in coaching camp, together with second-year man Cade Johnson.

The 2021 undrafted free agent was a three-year standout at South Dakota State and put collectively a powerful Senior Bowl displaying. Sadly for him, a lackluster followup at his professional day—partnered with issues about his measurement and small-school expertise—led him to the open market on draft week. 

Typically in comparison with Seahawks legend Doug Baldwin, Johnson’s match within the Pacific Northwest was pure. Seattle’s receiving corps had struggled to create after the catch in 2020 and the expert route runner’s school monitor report urged he may doubtlessly supply an answer to that difficulty. 

Johnson, nevertheless, kicked off his NFL profession by sustaining a groin harm throughout rookie minicamp. Though the ailment did not show too severe, it set the tone for an underwhelming summer season. 

As a complete, Seattle’s first two preseason video games have been forgettable at greatest. Beginning quarterback Russell Wilson didn’t take a single snap in both affair and incumbent backup Geno Smith exited the primary recreation and missed the second with a concussion. This put Johnson’s hopes of creating the energetic roster on the arms of Sean Mannion and Alex McGough, who went a mixed 35 of 57 passing for 297 yards, one landing and two interceptions over that stretch. 

The Seahawks scored a complete of 10 factors in these video games, however they fared rather a lot higher of their preseason finale with the Chargers. In a 27-0 shutout of L.A., Smith returned and Mannion performed effectively because the offense discovered the tip zone twice. That mentioned, Johnson didn’t contribute a lot to the motion, reeling in simply two targets for a modest 13 yards. 

In all, Johnson caught 9 of 12 passes for 72 yards and was lower as Seattle trimmed its roster all the way down to 53 gamers. Curiously, each different receiver he was seemingly competing with was additionally handed their strolling papers because the staff broke camp with a quartet of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Dee Eskridge and Freddie Swain.

Because the 12 months progressed, the Seahawks addressed their receiving scenario on a week-to-week foundation, maintaining roster spots to a minimal and making use of apply squad elevations if deemed vital. Accidents, such because the extreme concussion that held Eskridge out for seven video games, did happen and gamers like Hart and Thompson noticed their fair proportion of time on the roster. 

Johnson didn’t, nevertheless, regardless of signing again with Seattle’s apply squad earlier than Week 1. That is the place he remained till Week 12, when he was launched to make room for working again B.J. Emmons. Johnson’s time away from the staff didn’t final lengthy, although, as he re-signed to the apply squad every week later. He went on to complete the season with out additional disruptions or promotions. 

Signing a reserve/future contract with the Seahawks again in January, Johnson, as beforehand talked about, has an uphill climb forward of him this summer season. However together with his playmaking prowess and superior technical means—now strengthened by a 12 months’s value of NFL teaching—he ought to pose a reliable risk to Melton and different potential receivers on the again finish of Seattle’s roster. 

One may make the argument that Seattle’s offense is now higher tailor-made to Johnson’s strengths than it was final season. That is thanks largely to Wilson’s exit and the well-documented influence his smaller construct has on the throws he feels comfy making and the ideas the staff runs. Attacking the center of the sphere and being environment friendly in fast recreation ideas had proved problematic for the Wilson-led Seahawks, and that was finally Johnson’s bread and butter in school. 

In accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, Johnson lined up within the slot on 82.1 % of his offensive snaps at South Dakota State and, on a mean depth of goal of 13.2 yards, recorded 1,522 of his 2,863 profession receiving yards (53.1 %) after the catch. In a system that may each scheme him into open areas and let his route working shine, with a taller quarterback like Smith or Drew Lock throwing him the ball, Johnson may very effectively thrive. 

In fact, particular groups may even play a key function in figuring out who Seattle’s fifth and/or sixth receiver might be, assuming such a job exists. Johnson, fairly frankly, is behind the likes of Melton, Thompson and Hart in that division, although he may make up some floor if he proves helpful within the return recreation. 

Regardless of the case could also be, it mustn’t come as a shock if Johnson’s title begins to generate some buzz across the Virginia Mason Athletic Heart in July and August. Simply because the Seahawks have acquired a couple of shiny new choices does not essentially imply they did not have one thing higher already parked within the storage. Johnson has a wealth of expertise and a chip on his shoulder—a harmful mixture his friends will have to be weary of.