One of the most competitive position battles expected to take place at Seattle Seahawks training camp this month is at tight end.
A healthy Will Dissly gives Seattle another huge weapon, both as a run-blocker and a pass-catcher. He’ll be joined by returners Ed Dickson and Nick Vannett, who both showed flashes of excellence last season, as well as tackle-turned-tight end George Fant, and newcomer Jacob Hollister.
Those five players are not competing for one spot however, as offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer indicated on Friday that the Seahawks will use a committee approach at that spot.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be one guy, I think it could be a little more by committee,” Schottenheimer said. “You got George Fant there, you got Diss coming back, Nick Vannett scored a lot of touchdowns for us, Ed Dickson, that veteran leadership that he brings is awesome. It’s a really good group, so again we think that’s it’s very flexible. Jacob Hollister, we’re really thrilled with what he’s done, both in the passing game and in the running game, coming in and learning the system year one with us. So again, we’re not ready to name a guy yet, and it might not be a guy, it could be really by committee which is terrific for me.”
The Seahawks featured plenty of two tight end sets last year, both in the running and passing game. All signs indicate those sets will be heavily utilized again in Schottenheimer’s second year at the helm.
For the Seahawks, having a healthy group of tight ends to mix-and-match is a great thing. It’s not so great for fantasy football owners, who will probably want to stay away from the Seahawks tight end situation this season.
