Seahawks TEs Bolt to L.A.; Should Seattle Draft Brock Bowers or Sign Free Agent?
The Seattle Seahawks' beginning of the legal tampering period saw Ryan Grubb's offense lose two tight ends. Will Dissly will be signing with the Los Angeles Chargers on a three-year, $14 million deal, while Colby Parkinson will also be heading to Los Angeles on a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Rams.
Last season, the pair combined for 419 yards and three touchdowns on 42 receptions. The last tight end remaining was Noah Fant, who was a free agent, but will reportedly be signing a two-year, $21 million deal to stay in Seattle.
With both tight ends now heading to Los Angeles, does that change what the Seahawks do come draft time or could Seattle look to the free agent market?
The Seahawks could, in theory, pick up a bargain if they so choose among tight ends currently available in free agency. The alternative is to select a tight end via the draft with Georgia's Brock Bowers or Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders looming as the obvious choices.
Several mock drafts have had Bowers landing in the NFC West with Seattle, and now that both Dissly and Parkinson are on the way out, perhaps that move looks more real come draft night.
With Grubb's offensive scheme more pass-oriented, Geno Smith would ideally like a good pass-catching tight end to help alleviate the pressure on his receiving room.
Fant was a good outlet for Smith last season (32 rec, 414 yards) and if he does return, pairing him with another weapon could see Seattle's offense solidify the tight end position.
Whether that is via free agency with a bargain signing or through the draft with the likes of Bowers, Sanders, or Cade Stover, the Seahawks have a glaring hole that now needs filling.
The legal tampering period has begun and it has left the Seahawks rather short on offensive firepower.
