The Los Angeles Rams turned to Nick Vannett late last season amid injuries at the tight end position. Ahead of training camp this year, Vannett is crossing enemy lines (again) and joining the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Vannett began his career with the Seahawks. So, his signing with the Rams was the first switch for the former third-round draft pick.
Now, the Rams could face him at least twice this coming season.
Former Rams TE Nick Vannett Signs With Seahawks
GettyFormer Los Angeles Rams TE Nick Vannett has returned to the Seattle Seahawks.
Vannett signed with the Rams in late November. He appeared in six regular-season games, but he did not record a stat then or in his lone postseason appearance.
“The Seahawks signed Nick Vannett on Friday, bringing back the veteran tight end who spent the first three-plus seasons of his career in Seattle,” Seahawks.com’s John Boyle wrote on July 24, noting that the team also cut cornerback Tyrone Broden in a corresponding move.
“A third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2016, Vannett appeared in 42 games with 16 starts for the Seahawks prior to being traded to Pittsburgh early in the 2019 season. Since that trade, Vannett has spent time with the Steelers, Broncos, Saints, Giants, Chargers, Titans, Vikings and Rams, recording 108 receptions for 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns in his career.”
Vannett has only stuck with two teams for more than one season.
That was the Saints and the Seahawks. His return to Seattle is a fitting potential final stop for the 33-year-old pass-catcher.
Notably, Broden is a 6-foot-5 converted wide receiver and could be a prospect to monitor if he can get healthy. The Seahawks placed Broden on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of his release in the roster shuffle.
Vannett must earn a spot on a roster that already has five tight ends with the Seahawks.
It is a daunting task for the veteran who is well-traveled but has not produced in two of the past three seasons, including last year with the Rams.
Rams Expected to Stay Loaded at TE
GettyColby Parkinson is part of a deep group of tight ends for the Los Angeles Rams.
Vannett is no longer an option at this time, but the Rams’ tight end room is still loaded with options and is projected to stay that way.
“Five tight ends on a 53-man roster would be unheard of for most teams — and the Rams before last season — but seems the most likely scenario going into training camp,” ESPN’s Sarah Barshop wrote on July 23. “Los Angeles had 331 plays in 13 personnel last season, more than twice as many as any other team, according to ESPN Research.”
Barshop has veterans Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Tyler Higbee all making it, as well as second-year pro Terrance Ferguson and rookie Max Klare. The Rams also have undrafted rookies Dan Villari and Rohan Jones, and second-year former UDFA Mark Redman.
The latter three are likely vying for one or two spots on the practice squad.
It is a deep and talented group for the Rams. However, Higbee battled injuries last season. Meanwhile, Ferguson and Klare are still relatively inexperienced.
Another injury or two to the top could be a blow to the Rams’ plans to lean on the group. Their versatility on offense is part of what makes the Rams dangerous. It makes sense, then, to keep as many as reasonably possible.
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