It was no surprise that Seattle acquired Drew Lock from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade. You let go of your franchise quarterback and you’re going to need someone new behind center, right? The real story for the Seahawks was tight end Noah Fant, who was also acquired in the deal.
The OC used to coach tight ends
Tight ends have been an area of interest for Seattle since the team made Shane Waldon their offensive coordinator last year. Waldon came from the Los Angeles Rams where he was the passing game coordinator. But he started his time in L.A. as the tight ends coach. The team also brought in former Rams tight end Gerald Everett last year. But Everett was signed to a one-year deal and will play for the Chargers this season.
That other thing about Fant is that he has been extended to the fifth year on his rookie contract, which means he’s signed through 2023. He’s the first player from the 2019 draft class to be extended and it’s something the Seahawks typically don’t do.
In a recently ESPN article Brady Henderson wrote about Fant and the Seattle tight ends group:
In three seasons since the Broncos drafted him 20th overall — Seattle was preparing to take him with the next pick — Fant ranks eighth among NFL tight ends in catches (170), eighth in yards (1,905) and tied for 21st in touchdowns (10).
Lock is quoted as saying of Fant, “We could have maybe pressed the field with him a little bit more in Denver, but he’s going to have the opportunity to do that here, and I know he’s pumped about it.”
Fant is coming off back to back 60-catch seasons but says he ready to breakthrough the 600-yard ceiling. Will Dissly, a 2018 draft choice, re-signed with Seattle. He has played 31 games the last two seasons after being limited to a combined 10 games his first two years due to injuries. Dissly played his collegiate ball at the University of Washington where he was converted from the defensive side of the ball.
The position group is rounded out by Colby Parkinson. He’s a 6’7″ target who will be in his third season this year. Like Dissly, he spent most of his rookie year on the injured list. In the ESPN article Coach Pete Carroll referred to him as the most exciting guy in the group.