Seahawks draft profile: Cade Otton could replace an outgoing Husky

The Seattle Seahawks most productive tight ends in 2021 are free agents so Seattle might need to find replacements. University of Washington product Cade Otton could be a good start. In fact, Otton could bring in one U-Dub player while another one leaves.

Will Dissly has been in Seattle for four years and he is also a former Husky. Dissly showed a ton of promise in his first two seasons in his ability to catch and run with the ball. But each of those seasons ended early with injuries and in the last two years, Dissly has not done as relatively well receiving.

Gerald Everett was the Seahawks top target as far as tight ends go this past season but Everett might decide to go to a team that uses its tight ends a bit more in the passing game. More catches and maybe more touchdowns mean more money, right?

At this point, Otton is more like Everett than Dissly in terms of receiving ability. While Washington requires its tight ends to block more than catch, Otton was better when he caught the ball. To be a great pro, Otton will need to gain strength to be able to push defensive players around. He would struggle with that right now.

Cade Otton would be a wise choice for the Seahawks in the 2022 NFL draft

But that is OK because Otton, like every player who comes into the NFL, will be stronger with direction in an NFL weight training program. Otton can get bigger and stronger because he has the frame for it as he is 6’5″ and already 250 pounds. Long-term, gaining strength and therefore being a good blocker shouldn’t be a problem for Otton.

But he is already NFL-ready to catch passes. Otton has the innate ability to redirect once he has the ball in his hands and has great quickness for a player his size. It wasn’t that he didn’t produce at a high level at Washington because he was incapable; He just didn’t get the chance.

If the Seahawks do choose Otton, he isn’t likely to be a starter in Week 1 of 2022 because he needs to become a better blocker before that happens. But he should still get a lot of reps because he can catch passes and then run with the ball. Russell Wilson should like Cade Otton quite a bit.

Many sites that predict where players are going to be drafted have Otton possibly going in the third round. Seattle currently has one pick in the second round and one in the third and two in the fourth with two more in later rounds. Otton isn’t going to be around in the fourth round but Seattle taking him in the third would long-term help the offensive line and immediately help the passing game.