#1: Insight into Seattle's playbook is obviously a factor here. Harper is the 3rd, or is it 4th former Seahawks WR that SF has signed since the end of last season?
#2: Harper is talented enough to merit a roster spot on most teams, particularly a team as desperate at WR as SF.
#3: FWIW, I did hate the Harper pick, but I like him more now than I did when they drafted him. I was hoping he'd last on the PS. He may have looked raw this preseason, but he was polished compared to where he was at KSU. I think we saw some progress from him, even with all the drops at the end. Golden Tate was once an even worse WR in the preseason and look where he is now.
#4: Seattle's track record at WR is actually pretty awesome, IMO.
-Golden Tate was a quality 2nd round pick.
-Doug Baldwin was a UDFA steal, and that's part of the draft process.
-Kearse might be another.
-Sidney Rice has played very well for us. Count me in on those who think he's worth his cap hit.
-They attempted to trade for both Vincent Jackson and Brandon Marshall. Jackson had almost 1400 yards last year and Marshall had 1500+ and their play is as pretty as their stats. Those were good trade targets to go after.
-They've had some good results with reclamation projects (Mike Williams, Stephen Williams).
Sure, they whiffed on Durham and they passed on a ton of good WRs to take Harper. Seattle likes to gamble on upside and you won't bat 1.000 when you do that.