SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks say third-round pick Nick Vannett is draft’s best blocking TE

Apr 29, 2016, 11:56 PM | Updated: Apr 30, 2016, 1:19 pm

Urban Meyer said he regretted not using tight end Nick Vannett more in Ohio State's passing game. (...

Urban Meyer said he regretted not using tight end Nick Vannett more in Ohio State's passing game. (AP)

(AP)

Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett celebrates his touchdown against Rutgers during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett, right, escapes the grasp of Rutgers defensive back Jonathan Aiken to score a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett, right, scores a touchdown past Michigan defensive back Dymonte Thomas during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett celebrates his touchdown against Michigan during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett, center, makes a catch between Minnesota defenders Eric Murray, left, and Adekunle Ayinde during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)               South Team safety Sean Davis, of Maryland, tackles North Team tight end Nick Vannett, top, of Ohio State, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at Ladd–Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

RENTON – Tight end Nick Vannett never caught more than 20 passes in any of his four seasons at Ohio State, where he finished his career with only 55 in all.

So it wasn’t his receiving chops that led the Seahawks to take him with the second of their three third-round picks Friday night, No. 94 overall. It was Seattle’s desire to equip its run-first offense with the type of player that is becoming increasingly hard to find.

“We were really surprised that we had the shot at him,” coach Pete Carroll said, “and fired up that we got the best blocking tight end in the draft this year – without question.”

Picks: OL Ifedi | DT Reed | RB Prosise | OL Odhiambo | DT Jefferson

Tight end was a position that Seattle figured to address in this draft with starter Jimmy Graham coming off a serious knee injury and backup Luke Willson entering the final year of his rookie contract. That the Seahawks would spend a third-round pick on Vannett speaks to how important they consider his skill-set to their offense and how there aren’t as many players these days who have it.

Vannett, listed at 6 foot 6 and 260 pounds, is different than the other tight ends on Seattle’s roster. He’s considered a Y tight end, which is an in-line blocker with a bigger body who is almost like a sixth offensive linemen when he’s on the field. And it’s a diminishing breed as the proliferation of spread offenses in college has placed a premium on the guys who can catch.

“We’ve been looking for a true Y for several years now,” general manager John Schneider said. “It’s weird. They don’t come along very often.”

Vannett’s receiving totals require some context. Ohio State’s offense didn’t feature tight ends in the passing game, Carroll said, and it had so many other weapons that targets were even harder to come by. Running back Ezekiel Elliott was the fourth overall pick and wide receiver Braxton Miller was chosen ahead of Vannett in the third round.

More Seahawks draft coverage

“I think, especially in this draft, I’m one of the best three-down tight ends who can do both,” Vannett said. “I’ve always felt that I was a great receiver, and that’s something I did a lot of at Ohio State when Jeff Heuerman was there. Then once he moved on (to the NFL), I really had to step up my blocking game. That’s an area where I made tremendous strides in, so I think that allowed me to be a really good blocking and receiving tight end. But I think I’m just your typical three-down tight end who can do it both.”

Added Carroll: “We have no problem throwing him the football. We’re not going to stay away from that at all. But we really need him to be an impact player at the line of scrimmage for us.”

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

11 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

13 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

15 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profile Bralen Trice UW Huskies...

Brent Stecker

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pros, cons of UW DE Bralen Trice

For Day 2 of Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles, the former UW Huskies quarterback when with a name from his alma mater: defensive end Bralen Trice.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

FOX Sports’ Klatt: Seahawks’ quarterbacks ‘are not the answer’

"They don't have the requisite quarterback play to do that," FOX's Joel Klatt said of the Seattle Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profiles Theo Johnson Penn State TE...

Brent Stecker

Brock Huard’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: Penn St’s eye-opening TE

Brock Huard is back with another year of Seattle Seahawks draft profiles. Kicking off the list for 2024 is Penn State tight end Theo Johnson.

3 days ago

Seahawks say third-round pick Nick Vannett is draft’s best blocking TE