51 receptions on 68 targets, totaling 664 yards, 6 receiving touchdowns for a 13.0 yd average. Tyler Lockett’s route-running abilities were well documented coming out of college, and he was able use that skill to make an impact on the field almost immediately. However, the deep completions between him and Wilson were something that took until almost mid-season to develop. Lockett showed an uncanny ability to get open deep frequently much before the Seahawks post-bye offensive turn-around. Throughout the season, Wilson struggled in tracking Lockett deep, either under or over-throwing him on deep balls.

By the end of the season, the two appeared to be on the same page with Wilson regularly looking his way for 5-7 targets a game. Lockett scored 5 of his 6 total touchdowns after the Seahawks Week 9 bye, which coincided with Wilson taking a step forward in his game. Despite the obvious increase in offensive numbers, Wilson struggled at times to adjust to Lockett’s speed down the field, resulting in a number of close, but failed completions. These incompletions serve to demonstrate the potential that the Wilson-Lockett connection could produce in the future.

2nd and 6 at CHI 33

(7:09 – 4th) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to T.Lockett (K.Fuller)

The Seahawks come out in a heavy-run single-back formation look on 2nd down & 6, signaling run to the defense with 3 TEs on the field. Wilson run’s play-action to Rawls. Graham draws the deep safety towards him and creates space in the middle of the field for Lockett to run a go route. Lockett fakes an outside route and cuts back inside causing the CB to get turned around and put him out of position to stop a possible TD. Wilson is pushed out of the pocket by pressure against his RT and is unable to set his feet and make an accurate on-time throw to Lockett.

1st and 10 at SEA 13

(3:41 – 3rd) R.Wilson pass deep right to T.Lockett pushed ob at CIN 48 for 39 yards (D.Kirkpatrick). Cincinnati challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was REVERSED. R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to T.Lockett

The Seahawks are in a 3-WR I-formation set, and run play action to Cottom out of the back-field. Lockett embarrasses his defender’s attempt at press coverage and is open for a deep shot. Lockett is unable to keep his feet in-bounds as Wilson’s pass carries him towards the sideline.

2nd and 15 at SEA 29

(12:24 – OT) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to T.Lockett (D.Kirkpatrick, G.Iloka) [W.Gilberry]

The Seahawks are in a 4-WR 1-RB set with everybody out wide, signaling pass to the defense. The Bengals shade two safeties to the (L) side of the field, perhaps anticipating a possible throw to Jimmy Graham who is aligned slot (L) of the formation. Lockett runs right past his defender’s attempt at pressing him and is open for a decisive game-winning TD in OT. Wilson drops-back and appears to be spooked immediately by pressure, perhaps an overreaction to earlier pass-protection issues in the game. The pass is under-thrown and results in an incompletion.

1st and 10 at SEA 23

(11:59 – 2nd) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep middle to T.Lockett

The Seahawks come out in a 2-TE, 2-WR singleback formation and run play-action to Lynch. This play appears as if its going to be a bootleg but Wilson instead drops back deeper to survey down the field. The Seahawks began running this deep drop-back to combat the protection issues they were facing earlier in the season. They pull their center Lewis to block for Wilson on this drop-back for extra protection. Lockett faces no press coverage on the account of the defense suspecting run, and uses his blazing speed to run past Carolina’s secondary. Unfortunately, Wilson is still adjusting to the speed of his WR, and over-throws him down the field.

2nd and 4 at SEA 20

(8:23 – 3rd) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep left intended for D.Baldwin INTERCEPTED by T.Mathieu [F.Rucker] at ARZ 40. T.Mathieu to SEA 36 for 24 yards (J.Graham)

The Seahawks are aligned 3-WR trips (L) an 1-TE in-line next to the RT, with Rawls offset (R). Wilson takes a shotgun snap. The ball is thrown high and outside and Baldwin is unable to prevent a leaping intercept by the Cardinals CB Mathieu. A ball thrown more inside to Baldwin would’ve had a higher chance of being completed, or a pass to Lockett who is streaking wide-open down the field as Wilson is about to throw the ball.

3rd and 10 at 50

(7:47 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep left to T.Lockett

Lockett fakes a slant route, and as the CB bites on the route he turns on the jets and runs a go route. On SoundFX, this is the play Wilson laments not stepping up in the pocket to buy an extra second and hitting Lockett for the TD here, instead overthrowing the pass.

2nd and 5 at ARI 36

(3:59 – 1st) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep middle to T.Lockett

The Seahawks are in a 2-WR, 2-TE, I-formation that Wilson runs play-action out of, taking another deep-drop and pulling the center once again for added protection. Lockett is aligned as the outside receiver on the (R), and gives Patrick Peterson a quick move at the line of scrimmage before running downfield, creating a yard of separation near the end-zone. Wilson over-throws his WR despite great protection.

2nd and 6 at SEA 41

(12:49 – 3rd) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to T.Lockett (T.Waynes)

The Seahawks have two TEs aligned to their RT, and run a play-action bootleg to their RB Michael out of the backfield. The Vikings CB Trae Wayne chooses not to press Lockett here, instead initiating contact down the field to slow him down. Lockett baits him into a corner route before breaking back into the middle of the field creating separation. Wilson just under throws him on the run resulting in an incompletion.

1st and 10 at SEA 34

(15:00 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to T.Lockett. MIN-T.Waynes was injured during the play. PENALTY on MIN-C.Munnerlyn, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at SEA 34 – No Play

The Seahawks are lined up in a shotgun formation with 3 WR, Lockett isolated on the (R) side of the LOS. Wayne again decides not to press Lockett at the LOS, and loses him at the end of the route drawing a flag for illegal contact. Lockett comes agonizingly close to making an amazing one-handed catch along the sideline but the ball is knocked loose on the way to the ground.

Wilson’s understanding of Lockett’s speed is something that will hopefully be worked on this offseason. Lockett’s emergence as a WR and a returner through his first season in the NFL bodes well for the rest of his career. These failed completions are just a taste of what more playing time for Lockett might mean in the upcoming NFL season. It is up to Wilson to develop better understanding of Lockett’s speed, and to continue working on his own timing and understanding of his place within the offense.