Why Seahawks tight end Will Dissly is going to destroy the Cardinals
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks’ Will Dissly might be on his way to becoming one of the better tight ends in the NFL. On Sunday, he goes up against the struggling Cardinals.
The Cardinals have a lot of issues defensively. Especially right now as they are without cornerback Patrick Peterson due to suspension. But some years now Arizona has had trouble covering opposing tight ends. This is good news for the Seahawks’ Will Dissly. He plays tight end, of course, and he is a good one.
Through the first three weeks of 2019, the Cardinals have given up a crazy amount of yards to opposing tight ends. In fact, they rank dead last in the NFL having given up 348 receiving yards (116 yards per game). They have also allowed 5 touchdown receptions to tight ends, again last in the league. But don’t worry. The Cardinals have also given up the most receptions to tight ends with 23, an average of 7.7 receptions per game.
This past week, Seattle traded Nick Vannett to the Steelers and signed Luke Willson to replace him. Willson hasn’t played so far in 2019. He was released by the Raiders before the season began. But Willson did play for the Seahawks from 2013 through 2017 so Seattle is familiar with what Willson can do.
And what Willson, or Vannett for that matter, could do is nothing compared to Dissly. Dissly currently ranks 11th in yards caught by a tight end this year. But he only had one catch for 12 yards in week one. The last two week, Dissly has caught 11 of his 12 targets for 112 yards and three touchdowns. Dissly has built a rapport with Russell Wilson, especially with throws in the middle of the field.
TOUCHDOWN WILL DISSLY!!! #Seahawks
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) September 15, 2019
Great placement by Russell Wilson. High enough for him to bring it in just over the linebacker. Great throw!pic.twitter.com/0yIx6gKbfb
Dissly is 6th in yards gained per route (2.3 yards per) in the NFL. Pro Football Focus has given him the second-highest grade among tight ends this season so far. The Cardinals have used both man and zone schemes in coverage this year. Neither has worked to stop opposing tight ends.
Next. 3 Seahawks that need to be better in week four. dark
And therein lies another value of Dissly in week four. If he is eating up yards and picking up first downs and points against Arizona early, the Cardinals might need to rotate someone over to help in coverage. This would leave Tyler Lockett or D.K. Metcalf with more one on one possibilities out wide. That would be a beautiful thing for Seahawks fans.