Do the Seattle Seahawks Need to Dip into Wide Receiver Free-Agent Market?

Less than a month after a one-yard pass didn't go their way in Super Bowl XLIX, the Seattle Seahawks are looking to return to the NFL's big game for an unprecedented third consecutive season.

The question is, can they hope to do so with their current receiving corps, or should they try to obtain a tall, likely high-priced wideout to bolster their air attack—a prototypical No. 1 receiver along the lines of Calvin Johnson?

Dependable Duo

For the last several seasons, the Seahawks have made do with the reliable if undersized tandem of former free agents Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse to supply their one-two receiving punch.

The 5'10" Baldwin had 66 grabs during the regular season last year to go with 825 yards and just three touchdowns while making $1.4 million in his fourth year, per Spotrac.

The 6'1" Kearse made $570,000 in his third year, per Spotrac, and had 38 catches for 537 yards and a single score.

Between them, they caught just one-fifth of Russell Wilson's 20 touchdown tosses and were only four scores better than Kansas City's receiving corps last season.

Golden Tate led Seattle in both receptions (64) and receiving yards (898) in 2013, but he left for Detroit in free agency last summer. Percy Harvin worked well for Super Bowl XLVIII but got shipped to the New York Jets last season after supposedly wearing out his welcome in Seattle.

Would Seattle consider dealing Baldwin or Kearse, both in their mid-20s, to help secure a No. 1 receiver after all they've supplied to Seattle so far? If so, odds are the Seahawks will deal Baldwin. His cap hit this year will be $4.4 million, per Spotrac, while Kearse's hit will be $570,000, according to last year.

Free-Agency Possibilities

Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald might have been an intriguing choice, with his 6'3" height and glue-like hands, but he's apparently off the market now. The odds of him relocating elsewhere in the NFC West probably weren't great anyway.

Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin, 26, is an unrestricted free agent who caught 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, although he's the same height as Kearse. His cap hit last year was almost $5.5 million, according to Spotrac.

Dallas' Dez Bryant, 26, is 6'2" and had 88 grabs for 1,320 yards and a league-high 16 scores last year. He's also a UFA, but the Cowboys may put the franchise tag on him.

Concerning other free agents, Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis is 36 years old. Michael Crabtree (Crabtree and Richard Sherman together?) of San Francisco is just 6'1". Miles Austin of Cleveland was on injured reserve last season. Rico Wallace of Carolina is 6'3" but hasn't played a down in the NFL yet. Brandon Marshall of Chicago is 6-foot-4 and caught eight TD passes last season, but had just 61 grabs for only 721 yards. His base salary is also $7.5 million.

Additionally, how much can the Seahawks afford to shell out for a new No. 1 receiver when they want to lock up Wilson and also possibly have Marshawn Lynch to pay?

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press/Associated Press

Other Options

Rather than testing the free-agent or trade waters, should Seattle stick with what it has in stock?

The 6'5" Chris Matthews may well have been named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIX if not for Malcolm Butler's last-minute heroics. Now, will former CFLer Matthews use the Super Bowl as a stepping stone to become an everyday, every-down receiver, or will he revert to being primarily a special teams player?

Paul Richardson demonstrated some ability before suffering an injury that ended his rookie campaign against Carolina in the playoffs. He had 29 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown last year but showed speed he could use to stretch the field if he heals properly and keeps improving.

Ricardo Lockette might have been the hero of the Super Bowl had Wilson's last pass against New England wound up in his arms past the goal line. Regardless of who was to blame for that play, Lockette had only 11 receptions for 195 yards and two scores in 2014.

The Future

This year's college receiving crop includes amateur luminaries such as Amari Cooper (Alabama), Kevin White (West Virginia), Jaelen Strong (Arizona State) and Rashad Greene (Florida State). Three of those five are at least 6'3", and each player caught at least 75 passes last season. None of them may be available when Seattle picks at 31st in the first round, barring any transactions to move up the draft ladder.

The Seahawks will have choices this offseason when it comes to wide receivers. But which path will they choose?