Seahawks training camp battles: Tight End

The Seahawks are three-deep at tight end, but the uncertain status of Jimmy Graham could create room for additional players to make the final roster.

If everyone was healthy, the tight end position would be an easy one to call for the Seattle Seahawks. The unknown status of Jimmy Graham makes everything screwy.

Graham’s knee injury doesn’t just create a hole on the depth chart that another player will slide into. He’s a unique player who fills a unique role.

Replacing him on the roster could lead to the Seahawks keeping an extra TE so as not to lose a player who can actually block. Keeping an extra TE would have a ripple effect throughout the entire roster.

Here’s how the depth chart stands as we enter training camp.

1. Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham isn’t going anywhere. The only question we have right now is if he’ll be ready to play Week 1, or if he’ll start the season on the PUP list. While him being ready is clearly the better option, the PUP list path would allow the team to keep another player.

2. Nick Vannett

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Vannett may be a rookie, but he’s going to be given considerable playing time. Vannett can do something that none of the other recognizable names at the position can do: block.

He’s no slouch as a receiver either. This kid has a starter’s talent. Only an injury will prevent Vannett from having a big season.

3. Luke Willson

Luke Willson is a pure Jimmy Graham backup. Like Graham he is blocking-challenged, but creates mismatch issues for opposing defenses.

As a guy entering the final year of his contract, he no longer has contract that benefits him in a roster battle. If one of the other options impresses in camp, Willson could end up on the trading block.

4. Brandon Cottom

Yes, he’s above Helfet on this list. That isn’t a mistake. Cottom is a completely different type of TE. He’s on the Zach Miller end of the spectrum, as opposed to the Jimmy Graham end.

Cottom can block, and he’s rather good at it. He’s also one of the players who is vying for the FB spot. His ability to play both TE and FB give him an edge to make the roster.

5. Cooper Helfet

If Willson is Graham-light, then Helfet is Willson-light. He’s another big guy who can run, but cannot block at all. His chances at landing on the roster again hinge on either the team keeping 4 TEs, Graham starting on the PUP list, or both.

6. Ronnie Shields

If you haven’t heard this name before, you’re probably not alone. Not only was he never on an NFL roster last season, he only appeared in 3 games total in his final 2 seasons of college.

Shields went undrafted in 2015, and while the Seahawks gave him a tryout at their rookie minicamp, they never signed him. He also never landed on Seattle’s, or any other team’s, practice squad last season.

The Seahawks signed him to a futures deal ofter the 2015 season ended. They later cut him and then signed him again.

Next: Seahawks roster battles: safety

7. Brandon Williams

In three seasons, the 28 year old Williams has 4 receptions. He is a guy that is known be be solid on special teams, but relatively useless on offense. While his resume screams “camp body,” the Seahawks have a knack for finding hidden skills and making the most of them. It would still be a major upset for him to land on the 53 man roster.