The Seattle Seahawks replaced Doug Baldwin with a trio of unproven rookies last offseason, leading many to believe that the team’s receiving corps would take a hit in 2019.
However, the continued emergence of Tyler Lockett, the star power flashed by rookie DK Metcalf and the midseason addition of Josh Gordon have made the Seahawks a formidable passing team, lead of course by MVP candidate Russell Wilson.
One name that gets lost in the shuffle of Seattle’s rebuilt and reloaded receiving group is Malik Turner, an undrafted free agent who is now in his second year with the Seahawks.
Turner is having a quietly excellent season however, hauling in nine receptions (on 11 targets) for 153 yards and six first downs.
While his number has not been called often, Turner has proven to be a reliable pass catcher out of a variety of roles, and made a crucial play in Seattle’s most recent game against San Francisco.
“We have really learned to appreciate Malik in that he’s such a good worker,” coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday. “He’s such an intense guy. Everything he does, he does full speed whether you’re talking to the teams guys, or on offense where they’re blocking and running routes. He’s a terrific route runner. He’s got a great energy about him. It’s not often you can talk about a guy having a motor as a receiver, but he’s got a really good motor and it shows up.”
Turner spent most of the 2018 season on the practice squad, although he did appear in six games and hauled in two receptions. He was considered a longshot to make the roster out of camp this season, but impressed Carroll with his motor and his ability to learn every different position among the receivers, allowing his versatility to make him a weapon off the bench.
“He’s doing really well,” Carroll continued. “He knows everybody’s position, so he’s very versatile. Very valuable guy on our team.”
Don’t expect Turner to lead the team in receptions or yards any game soon, but his role has been an important one this season, and that will continue when the team heads to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday morning.
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