Could Seahawks Attempt to Replace TE Will Dissly Via Trade?
Though the Seahawks moved to 5-1 for the first time since 2013 and remain just behind the 49ers in the NFC West, Sunday’s 32-28 win in Cleveland proved to be a costly one.
Facing a third and goal situation from the Browns 20-yard line, quarterback Russell Wilson tried to loft a pass to tight end Will Dissly in the end zone while getting hit in the pocket. The trajectory looked to be impacted by the pressure as well as the wind, causing the throw to sail off target.
While attempting to track the football, Dissly’s left leg buckled and he collapsed to the turf in the end zone. Though he appeared to reach for his knee before being assisted off the field, reports quickly surfaced that the second-year tight end wouldn’t return due to an Achilles injury and coach Pete Carroll confirmed those fears after the game.
“He was running in the open field and it just happened like Achilles do. They come out of nowhere.” Carroll said. “It’s a devastating injury for him for this season. Will has done everything he can. He’s an unbelievable Seahawk.”
It’s a potentially season-altering injury for Seattle and an absolute bummer for the player, as Dissly successfully worked his way back from a torn patellar tendon that ended his rookie season prematurely. Through Seattle’s first five games, he’d produced 23 receptions for 262 yards and four touchdowns, re-emerging as one of Wilson’s favorite targets.
With the October 29 trade deadline approaching, general manager John Schneider may already be working the phones trying to add another piece to the puzzle to help offset the loss of Dissly.
Which players should Seattle target? Here are three options who could be available
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers
Being only 24 years old and a former first round pick, this may seem like a long shot on the surface. But since Bruce Arians arrived as the new coach and installed a new offense, Howard hasn’t been near as involved in the passing game and has been surprised by his lack of targets. With questions persisting about his fit in Arians’s scheme, there’s a possibility he could be available for the right price as the Buccaneers try to add draft capital for the future.
By landing Howard, the Seahawks would add a superb athlete at tight end with at least a year and a half left on his rookie deal who caught 60 passes and scored 11 touchdowns during his first two NFL seasons. The cost to land him may prohibit Schneider from making a move, but if he’s available for a fourth round pick? Or maybe even a third? The Seahawks should absolutely pull the trigger, especially considering there's no guarantee Dissly will be the same after another severe injury.
Delanie Walker, Titans
Walker just turned 35 years old in August, so unlike Howard, he’s at the tail end of his career. But the 14-year veteran has still gotten the job done while playing for a struggling Titans offense that just made a quarterback change and the Seahawks know him well from his time with the 49ers. The three-time Pro Bowler has bounced back from an injury-shortened 2018 season with 21 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns through six games.
What would make Walker most attractive to Seattle, however, has to be his presence as a blocker and all-around game. He joined Rob Gronkowski as the only tight ends with top-10 positional grades as a receiver, run blocker, and pass blocker during the 2017 season, showing off his versatile game. Even if he’s not what he once was, he’s still difficult to cover and hasn’t played with a quarterback as talented as Wilson.
Tyler Eifert, Bengals
Injuries have derailed Eifert’s once-promising career and ultimately cost him a starting job this season in Cincinnati, but he’s still just 29 years old and has 15 receptions for 108 yards on a bad Bengals team. Most importantly, he’s been healthy, playing in all six games so far.
While he doesn’t move the needle near as much as landing Howard or even Walker would, the 255-pound tight end has always been regarded as a solid run blocker and still has enough athleticism to go with his size to be a matchup problem as a receiver. Hitting the upgrade button with Wilson throwing to him instead of Andy Dalton, Eifert could prove he’s still got plenty left in the tank to help the Seahawks as they push for a division title and being on a one-year deal, could be a sneaky rental.
