Week 4 vs Detroit
After two solid weeks with 14 catches, Doug Baldwin went back to rarely used in Week 3. This has been the pattern in his Seahawks career, and the was hope of consistent 8-10 targets a week, but last week was a step back.
Even with a good matchup against Detroit, who is 23rd in aFPA to wide receivers, the confidence in Baldwin just isn't there. He is a fringe WR3 starter at best for Week 4.
Week 3 vs Chicago
Doug Baldwin flashed some fantasy potential last week with a seven-catch, 92-yard performance that also included a touchdown. He is still the best option at wide receiver for Seattle who has not even been very good on offense. With 17 targets after two weeks, Baldwin might end up finally getting more involved with the Seahawks game plan. The presence of TE Jimmy Graham could be helping too.
We still want to see if this trend continues for Baldwin and if it does, he will move up the receiver rankings. For now, even with a good matchup against Chicago, Baldwin is probably a bench player for Week 3.
Week 1 vs Rams
There were times Doug Baldwin was the best receiving option in the Seahawks passing game, but he has been very inconsistent in the Russell Wilson era. Baldwin will still have a big game here and there, but not enough to warrant a start every week as Jimmy Graham automatically becomes the No. 1 target for the Seahawks.
Fantasy Upside
Doug Baldwin has a spot in the starting lineup for Seattle. He has put up decent numbers every year and has a great young quarterback throwing to him in Russell Wilson. Baldwin has good hands and works best from the slot, where he will see targets as the No. 1 wide receiver on the team.
Fantasy Downside
His numbers have been very average over his career. Even with the Seahawks success, Baldwin has averaged only 58 catches for 802 yards. Now, Jimmy Graham is the obvious No. 1 target in Seattle, and don't forget the Seahawks are a run-first team.
Bottom Line
His numbers pretty much say what he is. Baldwin is capable of a big game, but is not really a starter in the fantasy world. He is depth. If you want him, you can get draft him late, but there are just too many other better options throughout the league.
Week 20: Baldwin vs Packers
Doug Baldwin had his usual numbers (3 catches, 4 targets), but he did manage to get into the end zone last week against Carolina. That's where most of the fantasy value is for any of the Seahawks wide receivers. Baldwin is still the No. 1 target in the passing game but that doesn't guarantee anything in Seattle's offense.
For Championship weekend, there is at least one receiver on the other four teams ranked higher than Baldwin although he still had the best chance to produce from the Seahawks roster in the passing game. The Packers are 24th in aFPA to wide receivers so the matchup favors Baldwin, too. He is worth a look this week as a middle-of-the-pack fantasy wide receiver for Week 20.
Week 19: Baldwin vs Panthers
Doug Baldwin is the best wide receiver option on the Seahawks, but that's not saying much. Seattle receivers have been a non-factor with the exception of a few games the past couple seasons. Still, Baldwin is the best of the bunch.
For Week 19, Baldwin faces a Panthers defense that is 2nd in aFPA to wide receivers. This won't make things easier for him and the Seahawks. We rate Baldwin just outside the top 10 of wide receivers playing this week, but avoid playing him if you can.
Week 17: Baldwin vs Rams
Doug Baldwin has been pretty effective over the past three weeks averaging 5 catches over that stretch and more important close to 90 yards per game. His numbers actually resemble a decent NFL wide receiver.
Of course, the Seahawks wide receivers are capable of stinker games almost every week, but the Rams are only 26th in aFPA to wide receivers so Baldwin has some value. We could see him starting as low-end WR3 or flex against the Rams.
Week 16: Baldwin vs Cardinals
After a strong Week 14, Doug Baldwin went back to ho-hum last week with three catches for 53 yards. The 'Hawks receivers continue to struggle as the team focuses on the running game. Occasionally, we will see the breakout game from Baldwin , but you would be guessing when it would come. We are guessing it won't be this week as Arizona is a respectable 19th in aFPA to wide receivers. Baldwin and all the Seattle receivers should remain on the bench for Week 16.
Week 15: Baldwin vs 49ers
Doug Baldwin actually had a No. 1 receiver-like game last week with 97 yards receiving and a touchdown. It was only the second time this season he put up numbers like that, so we don't expect it to be a trend, especially this week.
San Francisco is 4th in aFPA to wide receivers and is always a tough matchup for opposing receivers and QBs. Baldwin only had two catches in the first meeting and we don't expect much more in the second. Keep Baldwin on the bench for Week 15.
Week 14: Baldwin vs Eagles
Doug Baldwin has been very quiet the second half of the season. Last week, he had two catches for 28 yards and that has been the norm for the Seahawks "No. 1" receiver. Maybe an Eagles defense that is ranked 24th in aFPA to wide receivers can help spark him? Probably not. Keep Baldwin on the bench for Week 14.
