Seattle Seahawks: Can Nick Vannett emerge as top tight end?

Nick Vennett will have a chance to be the lead tight end for the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.

The Seattle Seahawks lost their top two tight ends in the offseason in Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson. A combined 72 catches and 14 touchdowns left Seattle in the offseason, and someone will need to step up.

The Seahawks brought in veteran tight end Ed Dickson and drafted Will Dissly in the fourth round. The in-house option for the Seahawks, however, is third-year tight end Nick Vannett. While both Dickson and Dissly are potential replacements for Graham and Willson, I think Vannett is a dark horse to emerge as the leader of this group.

Vannett spent five years at Ohio State putting up pretty decent numbers. Vannett was not featured much in the Buckeyes’ offense, but he showed he can be a red zone threat with five touchdowns in his junior year.

Vannett did not put up spectacular numbers, but the size and athleticism he possesses is legit. Vannett stands 6-6, and ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He posted the best 20- and 60-yard shuttle times amongst tight ends at the 2016 Combine. Vannett has the quickness and the size to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

In his time in Seattle, Vannett has found himself stuck behind Graham and Willson as Seattle’s third tight end. Despite limited playing time, he has made the most with his opportunities.

He’s posted 12 catches on 15 targets, and turned those into 124 yards and a touchdown. His 10.3 yards per catch surpasses both Graham (9.1) and Wilson (10.2). Vannett has displayed the skills to be a playmaker for Seattle down the middle, and possesses the size to make an impact in the red zone.

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With Dickson being an underwhelming veteran option, and Dissly being a blocking specialist, Vannett has a chance to emerge as the top tight end for this offense.