The Seahawks wide receiver situation has been deemed "wide open" or "up for grabs" by many. It seems the temptation for puns is just to great. The fact of the matter is that the wide receiver outlook is actually pretty rigid with a minimal chance of anything unexpected happening. That might not generate a lot of interest or make someone want to read a column, but it is the reality of the situation.
The Seahawks aren't like many teams that simply have two starting receivers. In Mike Holmgren's offense there is a flanker, slot, and split end that should all be considered starters. And depending on who is in rhythm or not, the reserve receivers will see regular action. They will also alter plays and formations depending on match-ups and put players into different positions (e.g. they might put Burleson into the slot with Engram at split end in the redzone against the Rams).
So, making a lot of distinctions about who is at what receiver position becomes a little tedious and ultimately unimportant. That being said, let's take a look at where the roster stands.
Bobby Engram is firmly entrenched as the starting slot receiver. Nate Burleson is expected to start at split end. And Deion Branch is the starting flanker when healthy. Those three should be thought of as the "starting receivers". Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor are both very capable, will clearly make the team, and will push Branch and Burleson for playing time. The amount of action they get will be largely dependent on the health of Branch and the consistency of Burleson, both of which are concerns. Taylor will probably start at flanker in Week One with the potential to put up big numbers in Branch's absence. Obomanu will probably rotate in at the slot and split end. Again, somewhat unimportant distinctions.
That means 4 or 5 roster spots are taken by receivers, depending on if Deion Branch is active or on the PUP list. That leaves anywhere from 0-2 spots for additional receivers. Given the injury to Branch, 0 is extremely unlikely to start the season, so it is really a question of if 1 or 2 more receivers will make the team, and it comes down to a choice between Logan Payne and Jordan Kent.
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Logan Payne is ready to play in the NFL right now. Jordan Kent isn't. Payne would also bring some stability if called upon because he can be counted on to run the correct routes and catch the ball when it gets to him. His speed isn't great, but he is the type of guy that can thrive in the slot. He can also make an impact on special teams coverage and blocking units. Kent is the better athlete, but he is unpolished and doesn't yet have a high Football IQ. That isn't the kind of player the Seahawks would need if it comes down to playing the 6th or 7th WR on the depth chart.
It would take some pretty dramatic development by Jordan Kent to overcome Logan Payne for a roster spot if the team only keeps 5 receivers (not counting Branch). And it will take some substantial growth for the Seahawks to justify a 6th WR roster spot (in addition to Branch) for Kent with Seneca Wallace on the team.
Basically, Logan Payne has a really good chance of making the team if Deion Branch isn't ready to play in Week One. Otherwise, he really has to prove himself to earn an additional spot at the cost of depth at another position. Jordan Kent is in the same situation, but behind Payne, and it will take quite a bit for him to move ahead. His best chance to make the team is an injury to one of the five guys in front of him (seven if you count Deion Branch and Seneca Wallace).
Starters: Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram
Locks: Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor
Insurance Policy: Seneca Wallace
Looking safe: Logan Payne
Longshot: Jordan Kent
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