The Seattle Seahawks are scrambling to fill a gaping hole in their roster after tight end Noah Fant went down with what could be a prolonged injury.
In response, Seattle has worked out four tight ends this week, including a surprising candidate—Dalton Keene, a former third-round draft pick by the New England Patriots who never lived up to his potential.
Fant’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Seahawks, who are pushing for playoff contention in a highly competitive NFC West. Losing Fant for an extended period would deal a serious blow to Seattle’s offense, especially given his steady performance as both a receiver and blocker. Currently, the team relies heavily on tight ends to execute a balanced offense that complements their explosive receiving corps led by DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Dalton Keene, selected 101st overall in the 2020 draft, came into the NFL with high expectations after a productive career at Virginia Tech. But injuries and inconsistency plagued his time in New England, and he was released before the end of his rookie contract. After brief stints on other practice squads, Keene has struggled to find stability in the league, making his appearance at Seattle’s workout session both surprising and desperate.
Seattle is evaluating its options for both immediate impact and depth, considering whether to sign a tight end to the practice squad or activate one directly to the roster. The Seahawks’ other options include veteran players with more stability but less upside, sparking questions about whether the team will settle for experience over the potential for untapped talent.
As the Seahawks weigh these options, fans can expect swift decisions. With key games approaching, any addition could be critical as Seattle seeks to reinforce their offense and keep playoff hopes alive.
