The Seattle Seahawks have spent NFL Draft capital on wide receivers, which might be necessary with news veteran wideout Doug Baldwin could have played his final down at the pro level.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has torched the San Francisco 49ers a few times over his eight-year career in the NFL ranks.
But according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the two-time Pro Bowler might have played his last downs in the league:
At the age of 30, Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin might be unable to play again due to the cumulative effect of multiple injuries, per sources. There is a real chance that Baldwin, one of the Seahawks' best and most popular players, has played his last NFL down, a source said Friday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2019
Baldwin underwent a sports hernia surgery during the offseason, and there was a good chance that would keep him out of the beginning of the regular season in 2019. The Seahawks aren't slated to play the 49ers until Nov. 11, although it's looking like the Niners defense could be facing a Seahawks team without Baldwin.
Cornerback Richard Sherman is good friends with Baldwin, so that's something to keep an eye on as news of Baldwin's injuries develops. On top of that, Seattle's actions in the 2019 NFL Draft back up any would-be concerns the team has with Baldwin's immediate future. In Round 2, at No. 64 overall, the Seahawks landed one of the bigger NFL Scouting Combine standouts in Ole Miss' D.K. Metcalf. Not a polished route runner, Metcalf's straight-line speed and strength could prove to be problematic for San Francisco's secondary for quite some time.
Additionally, the Seahawks added West Virginia wide receiver Gary Jennings in Round 4, using the No. 120 overall pick.
With returning veteran Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks still will provide something of a potent passing display with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm. This, despite Seattle leading the league in rushing last season.
For his sake, at least, let's hope Baldwin is able to return healthy enough to return. The 49ers-Seahawks rivalry wouldn't be quite the same without him.
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Written by:Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
