The Seattle Seahawks signed wide receiver Doug Baldwin as an undrafted free agent back in 2011 and he rewarded them with four solid-yet-unspectacular seasons before finally breaking out last year. In 2015, Baldwin set career highs in receptions (78), receiving yards (1,069) and receiving touchdowns (14). He emerged as quarterback Russell Wilson's go-to target in the passing game as the Seahawks finished the year tied for the sixth-most receiving touchdowns (34) in the league.
The only problem with Baldwin's breakout campaign is that it came at a bad time for the Seahawks. The 27-year-old pass-catcher is entering the final year of his contract, meaning he'll be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. What will it cost the Seahawks to keep him if he has another strong season?
Seattle gave Percy Harvin $67 million over six years in 2013 back when the salary cap was just $123 million. In 2016, the salary cap has risen to $155.27 million. Harvin was expected to be Seattle's No. 1 receiver, a role which Baldwin now fills. Given that, Baldwin's agent should ask for a salary bump in line with the current cap and reflective of other No. 1 options around the league. Baldwin may not be the same type of receiver as Randall Cobb or Jeremy Maclin, but he's in a position to demand similar money.
Would the cash strapped Seahawks really be willing to give Baldwin that kind of deal? General manager John Schneider has already handed out lucrative long-term deals to Wilson, cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Safety Kam Chancellor could be next. That won't leave a ton of money left for Baldwin.
Tight end Jimmy Graham's serious knee injury last year puts more of a premium on pass-catchers for the Seahawks. But 2015 third-rounder Tyler Lockett looks like a star in the making. The 23-year-old caught 51 passes for 664 yards and six scores as Seattle's No. 3 receiver last year. More than that, he showed off his rare explosiveness with a 105-yard kickoff return and a 66-yard punt return for touchdowns. His presence on the roster may make it easier for Seattle to let Baldwin walks if he asks for too much money.
Follow Brandon Katz on Twitter at @Great_Katzby
