Doug Baldwin shows status in online series praising Jermaine Kearse, fellow Seahawks WRs

After getting off my bike I rode for two days through two states...

...I noticed how Doug Baldwin has been asserting his leadership now that he’s the Seahawks’ lead, $46 million wide receiver:

Kearse and Baldwin have been catching passes from Russell Wilson since Kearse came to the Seahawks in 2012 as an undrafted rookie from the University of Washington and Lakes High School in Lakewood. Baldwin’s chic (my 13-year-old daughter says all the cool people are on Instagram, including her) way of saluting him is the last of seven picture profiles Baldwin has written on fellow Seattle wide receivers over the last week. That’s in advance of reporting to training camp July 29.

About Tyler Lockett, Baldwin wrote: “I don't think there is any WR in the league with Tyler's combination of speed and quickness. ... A selfless teammate with the gift of innocence.”

Baldwin’s Instagram series shows how secure he is in his place and status in his organization, now that he is no longer entering the final season of his contract. That’s because of that four-year extension he signed on June 30 that included $24.25 million guaranteed. That makes him the NFL’s seventh-highest paid wide receiver.

It is also an example of why the Seahawks feel if Wilson can get any time to throw behind an iffy offensive line that will likely have new starters at all five positions, Baldwin and his deep, lauded corps of receivers may lead the offense to dominance this coming season.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Doug Baldwin shows status in online series praising Jermaine Kearse, fellow Seahawks WRs."