Obscure Seahawks Bi-Weekly: Cooper Helfet

May 10, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet (48) catches a pass under pressure from safety Drew McAllister (35) during a rookie minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Cemter. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The tenth and final installment of “Obscure Seahawks Bi-Weekly” looks at tight end Cooper Helfet. With Anthony McCoy down there is an absolute free-for-all for the two tight end spots behind Zach Miller. Helfet couldn’t find himself in a better situation.

The Basics

Age: 24

Height: 6′ 4″

Weight: 240 lbs

Position: TE

Number: #48

College: Duke

Method of Acquisition: Signed a future contract 01/17/13

Years Pro: 2

40 yard dash time: 4.71

Bench Press Reps: 24

Vertical: 32 inches

NCAA career stats: 77 Receptions 775 Yards 6 TD

Fun fact: Today is actually Cooper Helfet’s birthday. Happy 24th Cooper.

Scouting Report

Helfet is a small-ish, quick-ish tight end that profiles as a move tight end or joker or whatever you want to call it. At Duke he demonstrated solid receiving skills and some ability to stretch the field which is not altogether surprising given that he was recruited as a wide receiver. Helfet’s bench press reps are respectable suggesting that he has some raw strength, and he isn’t exactly tiny so perhaps there is hope for him as a blocker. However, more likely than not Helfet will have to make his mark catching the ball if he wants to stay in this league.

Chances of Making the Team

Better than they used to be. With Anthony McCoy’s injury there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the tight end position on this team. The door is probably open for 2013 draftee Luke Willson to win a spot but chances are the team will carry three tight ends. There are quite a few tight ends vying for that third spot but Helfet has just as good a chance as most because none of them are extraordinary athletes, with the possible exception of Darren Fells, and none of them have much of a draft pedigree or history with the team. Working against Cooper is the fact that 3rd tight ends tend to be blockers rather than receivers and also the possibility that the Seahawks bring in someone from outside the organization. Acquiring a tight end might be prudent for Seattle but Schneider and Carroll aren’t afraid to go with young guys they like. If Helfet excels in training camp maybe he could be one of those guys. It would be an uphill battle though. Arbitrary Estimates: 14% chance of making the team, 25% chance of making the practice squad.