Seahawks Will Dissly is becoming best tight end in franchise history

Seahawks tight end Will Dissly has played just 9 games in his NFL career. By the time he leaves Seattle he will be Seattle’s best to ever play his position.

Seattle has had some decent tight ends in their franchise’s history. Just decent, but not great. Of course, the Seahawks had Jimmy Graham for a few seasons, but he was no where as good as he was when he played for the Saints. Seattle’s offense did not suit him. But now, Seattle has Will Dissly and he will become the best tight end the Seahawks have ever had.

To be fair, Dissly’s competition for best ever tight end is limited to a number of other players who were short-lived with the Seahawks due to injury or age or whatever. John Carlson, for instance was drafted by Seattle but couldn’t stay healthy. Zach Miller was signed as a free agent and couldn’t stay healthy either.

Both Miller and Carlson were productive in the time they played, though, Carlson had 137 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons with Seattle. Miller played four seasons with the Seahawks and had 102 catches for 1,092 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Graham played three seasons for the Seahawks and was terrible blocking for the run but he was never known for that. He was much more a receiver and did have 18 touchdown receptions in three years but was disappointing overall.

The closest comparisons to Dissly are probably Itula Mili and Christian Fauria. Mili and Fauria had solid statistics catching. Fauria had 166 catches in his seven seasons with Seattle. Mili had 164 in nine years. But Mili and Fauria were great run blockers too. Just like Dissly.

The thing that will separate Dissly from the others, however, is that he was drafted really to help with the run. He has not disappointed there. Before he left in his rookie season of 2018 with a week four injury that ended his year, Dissly was one of the highest graded run blockers for tight ends, according to Pro Football Focus. What Seattle couldn’t have known his how good Dissly could catch and run.

Dissly has played in nine games for the Seahawks. This year he has played five. But Dissly is tied for the lead in touchdown receptions with 4. Among tight ends, Dissly is sixth with 23 catches and sixth in receiving yards with 262. All this after overcoming a serious patellar injury last year. Heck, Dissly probably isn’t even at full strength yet.

This is just the beginning for Dissly and the Seahawks. Hopefully he is with Seattle for 8 years or more. By the end, he will be the best tight end in franchise history. And it won’t be close.