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Marshall in the red zone?

Are Seahawks hoping Marshall can replace Jimmy Graham?

The Seahawks have signed Brandon Marshall, and the beat writer for the Seattle Times pokes around the idea that they might be looking to use Marshall in the red zone. He’s really big, much like Jimmy Graham, who was the league’s busiest receiver inside the 10 last year.

“The Seahawks are thought to think the 6-4, 229-pound Marshall can help replace the red zone production lost when Jimmy Graham left via free agency, signing with Green Bay — Marshall’s 82 receiving touchdowns are tied for 23rd-most in NFL history,” writes Bob Condotta in an article in today’s Seattle Times.

I’m not sure where that’s coming from. “The Seahawks are thought to think.” It’s not attributed to a player or a coach. It might just be the writer’s own speculation.

Both of Seattle’s starting receivers are small – Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.

But I don’t expect Marshall will amount to much. As the article points out, it’s not even sure he’ll make the team. I don’t think he’s a big-time player anymore. He can’t run anymore. Two years in a row he’s been released by other teams. Since 2016 he’s got 77 catches and 10 drops – the worst drop rate in the league among wide receivers with at least 80 targets.

As for red zone, he hasn’t been dominant in that part of the field. He got no targets last year in an injury-shortened season with the Giants. In his final two years with the Jets, they went 8 of 19 when throwing his way inside the 10, with 5 TDs.

And look at the contract – one year for $2 million. If the Seahawks (or any other team) had any confidence Marshall was going to add much to their offense, he would have gotten a lot more. Earlier in the offseason, Seattle signed Jaron Brown to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million, with $2.7 million guaranteed.

Over the last two years, 55 wide receivers have been the intended target on at least 150 pass attempts. Of that group, Marshall ranks last year average yards per pass play.

It’s over, I’m pretty sure. In a typical fantasy league, I would think there will be at least 30 guys who aren’t even chosen that I would rather roll the dice on.

YARDS PER PASS PLAY SINCE 2016
PlayerTgtRecYdsTDAvg
Julio Jones2771712,853910.3
Brandin Cooks2311432,255159.8
Marvin Jones2101162,031139.7
Adam Thielen2341602,24399.6
Tyrell Williams1881121,787119.5
Tyreek Hill1881361,776139.4
Ted Ginn1651071,53989.3
T.Y. Hilton2641482,414109.1
Rishard Matthews1951181,740138.9
Antonio Brown3172072,817218.9
Michael Thomas2701962,382148.8
DeSean Jackson1901061,67378.8
Doug Baldwin2411692,119158.8
Keenan Allen1661081,45668.8
Robert Woods1611071,39468.7
Pierre Garcon1811191,54138.5
Mike Wallace2081241,76588.5
Stefon Diggs2071481,752118.5
Kenny Stills1861001,573158.5
A.J. Green2431412,042128.4
Kelvin Benjamin1961111,633108.3
Kenny Britt154881,25878.2
Golden Tate2551832,08098.2
Jamison Crowder2021331,636108.1
Marquise Goodwin173851,39358.1
Amari Cooper2281311,833128.0
Robby Anderson1921051,52898.0
Odell Beckham2101261,669137.9
Davante Adams2381491,882227.9
DeVante Parker1831131,41457.7
Marqise Lee2011191,55367.7
Mohamed Sanu1771261,35697.7
Adam Humphries1661161,25337.5
Alshon Jeffery2141091,610117.5
Mike Evans3091672,322177.5
Sterling Shepard1891241,414107.5
Jarvis Landry2922062,123137.3
Jordy Nelson2401501,739207.2
Brandon LaFell1961161,41097.2
Randall Cobb1761261,26387.2
DeAndre Hopkins3251742,332177.2
Dez Bryant2281191,634147.2
Devin Funchess169861,211127.2
Demaryius Thomas2841732,032107.2
Cole Beasley1611111,14797.1
Jordan Matthews153981,08647.1
Terrelle Pryor177971,24757.0
Larry Fitzgerald3112162,179127.0
Julian Edelman159981,10637.0
Emmanuel Sanders2291261,58776.9
Jermaine Kearse1911061,32066.9
Nelson Agholor164981,133106.9
Michael Crabtree2461471,621166.6
Allen Robinson1527490065.9
Brandon Marshall1617794235.9

—Ian Allan

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