Due to injuries and other factors, the Seattle Seahawks were forced to give more ownership of the offense to quarterback Russell Wilson in 2015. You could say he responded well as he set career highs in completion percentage (68.1), passing yards (4,024), passing touchdowns (34) and passer rating (110.1).
However, despite the impressive numbers from Wilson, Seattle's pass-catching corps still has question marks. Splashy offseason acquisition Jimmy Graham never got on the same page with Wilson before suffering a serious knee injury. Doug Baldwin enjoyed a breakout year but is probably better suited to a secondary role. The same goes for the newly re-signed Jermaine Kearse. Overall, Seattle's pass-catchers finished last season ranked just No. 25 in receptions (333) and No. 20 in receiving yards per game (253.8).
It's not unrealistic to expect the Seahawks to target a receiver in the middle rounds like they did last year with Tyler Lockett (third). If that option is being considered in Seattle then general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll should be looking at Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller.
Miller received rave reviews for his work at OSU's Pro Day and has been consistently complimented for his extreme athleticism. Football fans have mostly seen these physical tools put to work as a quarterback, where Miller played from 2011 to 2013 to great success. In that time, he proved to be a true dual-threat, racking up 3,054 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns and a 5.4 YPC in 36 games.
But then the logjam to end all logjams hit OSU's quarterback position (Miller, Cardale Jones, T.J. Barrett) and Miller willingly switched over to wide receiver. While Miller didn't post eye-popping stats at the position - 43 catches, 361 yards, one touchdown - he did showcase some blazing 4.4 40-yard dash speed, the same raw athleticism that wowed scouts for years, and a natural comfort at a new position.
In terms of need and fit, Miller is exactly the type of player that Seattle covets. He's a lower risk mid-round pick at a (relative) position of need that could emerge as a star given time to develop and learn the nuances of the game. Between Miller, Lockett, Baldwin, Kearse and a hopefully healthy Graham, Wilson and the Seahawks could have enough firepower in the passing game to compete with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals of the worlds.
We'll see what happens at the 2016 NFL Draft which will be held April 28-30.
Follow Brandon Katz on Twitter: @Great_Katzby
