Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse's 2014 Fantasy Outlook After Percy Harvin Trade

Russell Wilson has lost a deep threat, but Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin may make everything alright for their quarterback and fantasy football owners.

The Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets dropped a bombshell on Friday. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin had been traded to the Jets for a conditional draft pick. The move was a shocker considering the Seattle Times' Jayson Jenkins reported that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talked about unleashing the speedy veteran on more deep routes.

Per Jenkins, Carroll said: "He's too fast not to send deep."

Perhaps he meant sending him on a fly route to MetLife Stadium?

In any case, Harvin's departure means more opportunities for Baldwin and Kearse immediately. Harvin was often injured, but when he was on the field, he commanded a lot of attention and warranted consideration from Wilson. Through five games, Harvin had 26 targets. That's more than Baldwin (25) and Kearse (19).

Someone's going to get the balls that were going to Harvin. 

Player	Targets	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns
Percy Harvin	26	22	133	0
Doug Baldwin	25	16	187	0
Jermaine Kearse	19	11	168	1

Baldwin will certainly reap some of the benefits, but he was already a starter getting almost the same amount of opportunities as Harvin. The man who really stands to blow up is Kearse. On the Seahawks depth chart, the 24-year-old speedster was listed as Harvin's backup.

With Harvin shipped to New York, Kearse will presumably step into the role of starter with a chance to earn more touches. 

Nick Wass/Associated Press

So far this season, Kearse has 11 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown. In 15 games last season, the 24-year-old had 22 catches and four scores. He led the team with three catches and 62 yards in Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but that was hardly enough to get fantasy owners excited about him.

This trade that presumably thrusts him into a starting role is a different story. Right now, he's worth a look at a flex position unless you're stacked at RB, WR and TE. 

The Seahawks face the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. The Rams are ninth in the NFL against the pass, but they have just one sack all season. That sounds like a team ripe for the deep ball. Carroll wanted to go deep down the field; perhaps he'll try his hand with Harvin's replacement.

If so, Kearse and/or Baldwin could be in line for a big play or day.