Rookie Player Profile: Tyler Lockett

Matt Caraccio Posted On June 1, 2015

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Editor’s Note: We’re featuring the most intriguing 40 rookies from the 2015 class in a special “SWOT” player profile series all Summer long. We’ll evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to give you even more information you can use as you build your dynasty juggernaut.

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Strengths

Tyler Lockett may be on the smaller side for an NFL wide receiver, but he has big play ability. An excellent route runner throughout his college career, Lockett thrives on creating separation and outwitting defensive backs. He is a solid pass catcher who adjusts well to poorly thrown passes and does a nice job tracking the ball over his shoulder on deep routes. After the catch, Lockett can be extremely elusive and tough to corral. Rest assured, anytime he has a ball in his hands it could mean six points. He’s both explosive and elusive.

Weaknesses

At just 5’10” and weighing in at 182lbs, size is certainly a concern for Lockett at the next level. In tightly contested situations, Lockett struggles mightily. The physical play of cornerbacks at the next level could prove problematic for Lockett; especially in press-man coverage as well. Lockett is clearly best suited to the slot where he can capitalize on the extra room afforded to him.

Opportunities

Seattle traded up to grab Lockett in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. According to several sources, Seattle coveted the former Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year as a return man, so it certainly appears he will have an immediate opportunity to contribute in that capacity. As a wide receiver, Lockett should have an opportunity to climb the depth chart and challenge for a role as a slot receiver. The Seahawks don’t currently have a depth chart full of stars at the position, so the opportunity for Lockett to rise quickly is there.

Threats

While Lockett certainly finds himself in an opportunistic situation in Seattle, it is important to remember that neither Percy Harvin nor Paul Richardson found a tremendous amount of targets in the Seahawk offense. Seattle is a run first offense and there doesn’t seem to be a reason for that to change this season. Until Marshawn Lynch parts ways with the Seahawks, Lockett’s value may be worth more in reality than in fantasy.

Expectations

In leagues that count return yardage, Lockett is going to be a second round favorite in most rookie drafts. In both standard and PPR formats, Lockett’s value may settle somewhere around a WR3-5 for the next year or two. However, there is reason to believe he could exceed those expectations, especially in PPR leagues. Towards the end of last season, Richardson began to look like every bit the explosive playmaker he was drafted to be; in Seattle’s offense. Unfortunately, his season was ended abruptly when he tore is ACL. Lockett is not that dissimilar to Richardson – they are both explosive athletes but Lockett is a far more refined route runner coming out of college than Richardson was. If Richardson’s late season success suggests a better understanding by the coaching staff on how to use his abilities than Lockett will come into a more evolved situation. As a result, this may mean more early success on the field.

In addition to tactical usage, the recent acquisition of Jimmy Graham could also bode well for Lockett’s on the field production. While Seattle uses Graham to control the seam, Lockett should be able to find room to run free on underneath routes. With a wily quarterback like Russell Wilson at the helm of the Seahawk offense, it seems reasonable to envision Lockett becoming one of Wilson’s favorite targets.

NFL Comparisons: Emmanuel Sanders-Lite

Projected Range for a Rookie Draft

Lockett’s value seems to hover towards the end of the second round of rookie drafts. In fact, Lockett’s most recent ADP data has him as the twenty-third player taken in most of our mock drafts. Again, in leagues where return yardage counts, Lockett will most likely go in the top half of the second round. In standard scoring leagues, he will most likely be taken in the third round. No matter where you take him, patience is the key word. He has the ability to be an exciting player, but it may take some time for him to develop. If Seattle uses Lockett creatively through the upcoming years, he could be a tremendous fantasy asset.

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