In a recent interview with SB Nation, former Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett said that whichever team was lucky enough to snag him in the draft was going to get "a steal." That team is the Seattle Seahawks, who selected Vannett late in the third round with the No. 94 overall pick.
Seahawks select tight end Nick Vannett in third round
In Vannett, the Seahawks are getting an underrated receiver and a solid blocker.
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Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Vannett was underrated as a draft prospect, largely due to his role in Ohio State's offense, which revolved around blocking. Vannett's blocking certainly contributed to the success of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was selected fourth overall by the Dallas Cowboys after finishing the season fifth in the NCAA with 1,821 rushing yards.
NFL teams want well-rounded tight ends, though -- players who can contribute as blockers and receivers. Though it wasn't necessarily evident at Ohio State -- where Vannett finished his college career with just 55 receptions for 585 yards and six touchdowns -- strong performances during Senior Bowl week, at the combine and at Ohio State's pro day gave teams a glimpse of what Vannett has to offer as a prospect.
At 6’6 and 257 pounds, Vannett has ideal size to play the position in the NFL, and he’s physical enough to be an aggressive blocker and make contested catches. Many college tight ends have a significant learning curve when they arrive in the NFL because they’re more one dimensional than teams prefer at the pro level, but Vannett is fully pro-ready.
The Seahawks traded for Jimmy Graham a year ago to add talent to a lacking position, but the three-time Pro Bowl tight end suffered a torn patellar tendon in November. The serious injury came just as Graham was beginning to develop chemistry with Russell Wilson, who could've used more threats in the passing game late in the season.
Vannett was the 10th Buckeye drafted this year, setting a record for the most players from one school selected in the first three rounds of the FNL Draft.
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