Sleeper Spotlight: Seattle Seahawks

Ken Kelly Posted On August 16, 2012

As part of the premium content package, we’re not only releasing exclusive team capsules (complete with commentary), but also focusing on one sleeper from all 32 teams in the NFL.

These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about than we had room for in the dynasty capsules for each team. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.

We’ll just never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” that includes such names as Demaryius Thomas, Ryan Mathews or even someone like Stevan Ridley. You’re all too good for that.

While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, we figure there’s value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and even re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league. You may even consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.

Ricardo Lockette, WR SEA
Age: 26 (5/21/86)

lockette Seattle is truly one of the most difficult teams to choose a sleeper from. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing when you have as many choices as you do with this squad. On one hand, you have a lot of players who have potential. On the other, you have an offense that is in total flux right now with virtually nothing set in stone.

We’re going to go away from the veterans who could produce short term benefits (Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens) or the young rookie who obviously has a ton of upside (Russell Wilson) and go with a deep sleeper who has a chance to be very productive in time if he can make the team and continue to progress. That player is none other than Ricardo Lockette.

Lockette has decent size at 6’2″ and 211 pounds, but you probably haven’t seen much of him unless you were a season ticket holder for Fort Valley State or watched a lot of the Seahawks practice squad last year. He did make a quick appearance on the active roster last year and played in two games, posting two catches for 105 yards, including a 61 yard touchdown reception. At least you can say his career average of 52.5 yards per catch is impressive – just don’t be too disappointed when that average goes down just a tad.

One thing Lockette provides is speed. He had the third fastest time at the 2011 combine and could bring that much needed dimension to the Seahawks receiving corps. He’s battled inflammation in his leg over the last week, but has returned to practice and should be set to play on Saturday. Known as a fierce competitor, Lockette will have to battle Owens, Edwards, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Ben Obomanu, Kris Durham and Deon Butler for a roster spot this year. It’s a tough task, but one he has the talent to win.

The coaching staff is very high on Lockette and if he can prove to be healthy and make the team, he has some deep sleeper upside. Head Coach Pete Carroll has been quoted as saying Lockette has tremendous upside on more than one occassion. While his production this season likely won’t amount to much with the veterans the Seahawks have on the roster, he could eventually replace Owens or Edwards, since neither are likely going to be in Seattle for the long haul.

Lockette is a player to monitor throughout the preseason. If he makes the roster, he could make for a nice roster stash in deep leagues. There are no guarantees he can make the team, but he’s a player who should be watched closely over the next few weeks. As a player with total “boom or bust” potential, he’s a sleeper in the truest form.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK