Seahawks bring back a former 2016 draft pick to address their tight end spot

The Seattle Seahawks have added a familiar face to their tight end group, signing one of their former draft picks from the 2016 class as the team opens the first stretch of training camp. The move comes in the immediate wake of Harrison Bryant being waived, leaving Seattle searching for dependable depth at a position where offseason plans often get reshaped quickly once roster decisions become official.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Seahawks’ decision effectively creates a bridge between the plan of adding talent for camp and the reality of adjusting when a veteran does not remain in the organization. The publication framed the signing as a “reunion” of sorts, emphasizing that the new tight end is a player Seattle drafted about a decade earlier rather than a completely fresh addition from outside the organization’s history.

The timing matters because the first day of training camp is when depth charts start to solidify in practice, even if nothing is set in stone. Teams use early practices to evaluate what they have, identify which routes and assignments run cleanly, and decide who can execute at full speed. When a player is waived shortly before that window, it compresses the evaluation period and raises the importance of adding someone with a background that can reduce the learning curve.

From a roster-building standpoint, a tight end signing late in the offseason tends to be about more than filling a jersey. Coaches look for a blend of roles, from route running and pass-catching reliability to helping in the passing game structure, and also for basic run-game assignments. The Seahawks’ choice to use a former draft pick suggests they believe the player can contribute quickly, even if his exact role will likely be determined as camp progresses.

The Seahawks’ plan also fits a broader NFL pattern: when a tight end spot opens, teams often prioritize a player they trust to be coachable and to understand the organization’s internal expectations. In this case, the reported reunion angle indicates Seattle already had experience with the prospect at the time of the draft, and that continuity can be valuable during the compressed timeline leading into camp.

What to watch next is how the Seahawks deploy this tight end in practice sessions, particularly whether he is used as a primary receiving option in team periods or as a rotational piece for specific packages. Even without knowing the finer details of his past production, his immediate usage will indicate the organization’s priorities for the position, and whether Seattle expects him to compete for a deeper role as camp turns into preseason preparation.