Kevin

Norwood

A fourth-round pick by the Seahawks in 2014, Norwood was traded to the Panthers at the beginning of the 2015 season and spent all of this season on various practice squads. Older than most when he entered the league, Norwood could be nearing the end. Wenning was a sixth-round pick by the Ravens in 2014. Powe was a hot name early in training camp last August.

Norwood is buried on the depth chart, currently operating in the No. 5 or 6 spot. But it’s unlikely Seattle would get him through waivers and onto the practice squad, so they’ll have to end up making room for him on the 53-man roster. If Norwood can show well on special teams, Ricardo Lockette may lose his job.

Norwood is out indefinitely. Coach Pete Carroll thinks he could be back before the end of camp. With such a deep, talented roster in Seattle, Norwood’s chances of cracking the 53-man are slim. He may end up on injured reserve.

Going on 25, Norwood never reached 40 receptions in a college season. He does, however, boast a nice size/speed combo, clocking in at 6-foot-2, 198 with 4.48 wheels. Norwood will be a role player for an offense that focuses on the run, and should make his biggest rookie contributions on special teams.

Norwood, the 123rd pick in May’s draft, was making waves early in camp. According to the Seattle Times, his season could be over, though it’s too early to tell. “We are waiting for some more information on him,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We are going to take our time with him. He’s not going to come back right away.”

Norwood (6-foot-2, 198) was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, playing second fiddle to likely 2015 top-ten pick Amari Cooper en route to 81 career catches for 1,275 yards (15.7 YPR) and 12 touchdowns. He never reached 40 receptions in a college season, and will turn 25 early in his rookie year. Norwood did have a nice Combine, running 4.48 with a 10-foot-1 broad jump. Ultimately, he has limited upside and would do well to pan out as a No. 3 NFL wideout.

Acquired from the Seahawks at the end of August, Norwood was not ready to play in the Panthers’ season opener. The sophomore has reportedly picked up the offense well and could play “about 18 snaps” against the Texans. In a nondescript wide receiver crops which struggles with drops, Norwood could conceivably climb the depth chart quickly. He is someone to monitor.

It was initially reported that Norwood had been waived. Instead he’s been shipped to the thinnest wideout corps in the league. Norwood has nice measurables, but is a 26-year-old (in September) sophomore who didn’t produce much in college. Even in receiver-needy Carolina, his contributions should come mostly on special teams.

The No. 123 overall pick of last year’s draft, Norwood had the looks of a flop from the beginning. One month shy of his 26th birthday, Norwood never reached 40 receptions in a college season. Norwood is a good athlete, but he didn’t contribute enough on special teams to keep his roster spot. It’s foreboding for his NFL future that he couldn’t even make it to final cuts.

Norwood is “doing great” after having bone spurs removed last Tuesday. In a best-case scenario, he’ll be ready for Seattle’s preseason finale, but it’s unlikely. He’ll be a special teamer if he’s active on game days this season.