SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks catches the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

When the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft came about, the Seahawks knew they wanted to take a wide receiver. They traded four picks to the Washington Redskins to take the player they had been eyeing: Tyler Lockett.

The Seahawks can expect big things from Tyler Lockett in 2019. His 2018 season was an unexpected performance that no one will forget. It was a season that was statistically shattering for him.

Prior to the 2018 season, the Seahawks signed Tyler Lockett to a three-year $31.8 million contract extension. To some, this huge extension came as a surprise as Lockett hadn’t had a big season since his rookie year. From the start of 2018, it became clear why Lockett was extended such a generous contract. Lockett had multiple receptions a game; except one, where he only had a single reception. He also had his career-high in single-season yards (965) and touchdowns (10).

Throughout the season, Pro Football Focus was all over grading Lockett’s tremendous performance. Some of his accomplishments in the season include zero drops, the highest grade on Go routes (132.2), 158.3 passer rating when targeted (first among wide receivers), and a career-high overall grade of 80.3.

Tyler Lockett lands on our list of players we really liked coming out of college, that have translated well to the NFL level after he sported a perfect passer rating when targeted last season:https://t.co/0LKaVaYTeP pic.twitter.com/CWZuidwlvT — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) February 25, 2019

The Seahawks have always had an underrated receiving corp. They’ve never been considered among the best in the NFL but have made a big enough impact to keep Seattle in the playoffs nearly every year since the Pete Carroll era started. The Seahawks are clearly set up for a good receiving group in 2019 with Lockett, Doug Baldwin, and David Moore. It’s likely they could even target another in the draft to cement depth at the position.

Lockett’s outstanding 2018 season projects good things for him and the Seahawks in 2019. Especially, with a quarterback like Russell Wilson. Hopefully, after seeing Lockett’s production improve, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will find ways to implement a more vertical passing game in such situations that can be successful for both Lockett and Wilson.