Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett currently remains in line to encounter quite the increase in both production and playing time in 2019. With former Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin now officially out of the mix in Seattle after some injury troubles rapidly halted his NFL playing career, Lockett will be forced to quickly step into a larger role for the NFC West franchise going forward.

Because Baldwin must be replaced as the reliable veteran on the Seahawks offense, Lockett could immediately fill that void en route to becoming the key to the team's offensive success in 2019.

The 26-year-old Lockett is now gearing up for his fifth season atop the highest level, all of which have come in the Pacific Northwest as a member of the always dangerous Seahawks. Standing at 5-foot-10 while weighing just over 180 pounds, Lockett was originally selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Kansas State.

Over the course of his four-year NFL career, Lockett has remained incredibly consistent, though his year-by-year numbers don't necessarily jump off the page, outside of last season, that is. With Baldwin missing a slew of games in 2018-19, Lockett emerged by recording 57 receptions for a single-season career-high 965 yards and a whopping 10 touchdowns.

Prior to last season, Lockett registered nine receiving touchdowns in total. Not only that, but he never eclipsed 664 receiving yards as a NFL wide out despite encountering a similar number of targets in each of his four professional seasons.

Adding to his fantasy value — and overall value to the Seahawks as well — Lockett has only missed one regular season game since arriving on the NFL stage ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.

It is also worth noting that the pressure is not only on Lockett to perform in the absence of the aforementioned Baldwin, but also because of the presence of soon-to-be rookie wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. The former Ole Miss Rebels pass catcher was notably selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and will most certainly become a key cog for head coach Pete Carroll sooner rather than later.

Despite the fact that Metcalf is now on board, though, he and Lockett do possess very different skillsets, which could become a nice compliment for Seattle. With Lockett able to catch passes all over the field due to his speed, quickness and smaller stature, Metcalf and his impressive size and strength will allow Seattle to stretch the field even further while also giving quarterback Russell Wilson a massive target in the red zone.

Although the Seahawks always serve as a potential playoff contender at this point, the road won't be easy this time around as the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and even the Arizona Cardinals all improved this offseason. If the Seahawks are going to return to the playoffs in 2019-20, Lockett must tally new single-season career-high marks in just about every major category in addition to surpassing the 1,000 receiving yards mark while leaving his eventual fantasy owners with massive smiles on their faces come January.