The Steelers traded their 2020 fifth round pick for Nick Vannett to bring the veteran tight end depth they've needed since training camp.
Vannett is a 2016 third-round pick who never turned into a real threat for the Seahawks, but could be a possession receiver over the middle for Mason Rudolph when defenses focus their attention on other players.
Let's look at situations that've played out well for Vannett in the past:
Vannett is a big tight end at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds. But he's not the shiftiest receiving tight end you'll find in the NFL. He also never materialized as a premier blocking tight end the way the Seahawks hoped, but was counted on in tough situations to make the occasional play over the middle when all other options were covered.
The Steelers saw that on a third-down conversion where Russell Wilson targeted Vannett over the middle. As soon as Vannett caught the ball he took a huge shot from Sean Davis, but held on to ensure the Seahawks' drive would continue. That's an immediate upgrade over Xavier Grimble, who has dropped multiple passes over this preseason and regular season:
The Steelers need a backup tight end to simply find the soft spots in opposing defenses, sit down in them, and make the catch. Vannett does that very well as defenses will stretch across the field to cover other receivers, knowing Vannett is not a big threat for yards after the catch.
Watch how he converted this third down against the Cowboys with a quick step to the inside, finding his spot and turning back to present an easy target for Wilson over the middle. He again holds onto the ball despite a defensive back being right on him for the hit:
But what impressed me the most about Vannett was his willingness to get physical in his route by using his hands. Watch this touchdown against the Rams last season where he works from the right of their formation against press coverage.
Vannett doesn't establish inside leverage immediately, but he sticks to his route and eventually swims over the press, finishing his route with a tough catch in traffic:
Nobody is asking Vannett to be the next Vance McDonald, but the Steelers do need a veteran tight end who can block and be a reliable receiver. Vannett won't be the guy that breaks a tackle and stiff arms Chris Conte into oblivion like McDonald did last year. But he will make those tough catches in traffic when defenses focus their best players elsewhere and Rudolph needs a tough catch over the middle.
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