RENTON, Wash. -- During the early part of practice Tuesday, Doug Baldwin strayed from the Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver group and joined the defensive linemen in the end zone.

He waited for Malik McDowell and others to take their turns before lining up against a blocking dummy. Baldwin was easily the smallest player in the group and the only one wearing a blue jersey -- which is reserved for the offense.

Doug Baldwin said that he participates in drills with the Seahawks' defensive linemen to learn more about hand usage. "Anything I gain from them, any knowledge that I can get from them is invaluable to me," he said. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

He set up as if he were rushing the passer from the left defensive end spot, took off, swiped the right hand of the dummy, turned the corner and got back in line to wait for another turn.

This is a common occurrence at Seahawks practices, and Baldwin explained what he gets out of practicing with the defensive linemen.

"They’re masters at hand-to-hand combat," Baldwin said. "And anything I gain from them, any knowledge that I can get from them is invaluable to me. So, I usually go down and practice with them occasionally just because they have so much to teach me."

Baldwin said hand usage is particularly key when facing press coverage.

"Right, especially with our corners," he said. "Our defensive backs like to get handsy at the line of scrimmage, so the more I can do in terms of getting their hands off me, combating what they do at the line of scrimmage, the easier it is for me to get off the press."

Later, Baldwin took the podium and answered reporters' questions on a variety of topics -- the Seahawks' locker room, Colin Kaepernick and Richard Sherman. The one subject that didn't really come up was Baldwin's own play. The reason? He's been one of the Seahawks' most consistent and dependable players during the past two seasons. In other words, it seems at this point everyone knows what to expect.

In 2016, after signing a contract extension, Baldwin set career highs with 94 catches and 1,128 receiving yards. In the past two seasons, he's 10th league-wide in receptions, 15th in receiving yards and third in touchdowns (21). Only Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown have more.

Baldwin prides himself on efficiency. Twenty-three players have been targeted more than him in the past two seasons, but Baldwin's 78.5 percent catch rate is second to only Danny Amendola.

Baldwin will continue to work to add tools to his repertoire against press coverage, but he's in line to once again be a primary target for Russell Wilson in 2017.