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Arroyo turning heads for Seahawks

Second-round tight end could be a factor

The Seahawks released Noah Fant last week, "for multiple reasons," according to coach Mike Macdonald. Maybe one was the potential of second-rounder Elijah Arroyo.

The team's second-round pick out of Miami won't necessarily start; Seattle also has AJ Barner, who caught 30 passes and 4 touchdowns as a rookie. But Arroyo "looks like a playmaker" in the passing game so far, according to a beat reporter, and his early selection (Barner was a fourth-rounder a year ago) speaks favorably of his potential.

We've talked here about rookie tight ends; it sometimes takes these players a while to get up to speed. But it's been rookies (Sam LaPorta, Brock Bowers) who've led the position the last two years, and there have been a few hits among second-rounders of late.

Since 2000, there have been 42 tight ends drafted with second-round picks. About a fifth of them (8) have finished with top-20 numbers at the position in PPR leagues in their rookie seasons. Four put up top-15 numbers, including LaPorta and Pat Freiermuth the last four seasons.

2ND-ROUND TIGHT ENDS, ROOKIE SEASONS (2000-)
YearPlayerTgtNoRecTDRk
2023Sam LaPorta, Det.12086889101
2008John Carlson, Sea.805562757
2010Rob Gronkowski, N.E.59425461011
2021Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.7960497713
2007Zach Miller (ASU), Oak.6844444316
2016Hunter Henry, S.D.5336478818
2002Doug Jolley, Oak.3732409218
2018Dallas Goedert, Phil.4433334420
2001Alge Crumpler, Atl.4125330321
2013Zach Ertz, Phil.5736469423
2014Jace Amaro, NYJ5338345224
2006Tony Scheffler, Den.3718286426
2004Ben Troupe, Ten.5433329126
2003L.J. Smith, Phil.4627321128
2008Martellus Bennett, Dall.2720283430
2023Luke Musgrave, G.B.4634352131
2019Irv Smith, Min.4736311233
2011Kyle Rudolph, Min.3926249334
2023Michael Mayer, L.V.4027304235
2006Joe Klopfenstein, St.L.3420226135
2011Lance Kendricks, St.L.5828352037
2012Coby Fleener, Ind.4826281238
2015Maxx Williams, Balt.4832268139
2022Trey McBride, Ari.3929265140
2014Austin Seferian-Jenkins, T.B.3821221241
2020Cole Kmet, Chi.4428243242
2017Gerald Everett, LAR3216244242
2003Teyo Johnson, Oak.2214128143
2018Mike Gesicki, Mia.3222202049
2017Adam Shaheen, Chi.1412127349
2013Gavin Escobar, Dall.159134254
2006Anthony Fasano, Dall.2414126055
2013Vance McDonald, S.F.198119062
2023Luke Schoonmaker, Dall.15865267
2023Brenton Strange, Jac.9535179
2024Ben Sinnott, Was.5528182
2008Fred Davis, Was.10327084
2019Drew Sample, Cin.6530092
2014Troy Niklas, Ari.3338093
2009Richard Quinn, Den.1000999
2004Kris Wilson, K.C.0000999
2003Ben Joppru, Hou.0000999

Arroyo is one of three tight ends selected in the second round last April, and the others are also intriguing. Mason Taylor might be a Week 1 starter for the Jets, and Terrance Ferguson has drawn some positive press for the Rams.

But let's keep an eye on news out of Seattle camp. Fant averaged 3.5 catches as the main tight end a year ago, and new coordinator Klint Kubiak oversaw 82 receptions and 8 TDs from his top 2 players at the position a year ago. If Arroyo winds up being the main player, he'd be a pretty nice late-round selection in drafts.

--Andy Richardson

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