John Carlson 2008 Fantasy Projections – Seattle Seahawks

Although the Seattle Seahawks had other draft picks in the 2008 NFL Draft, their second round pick is likely their most important pick of the draft. The Seahawks picked John Carlson in the second round, who is a tight end out of Notre Dame.

Tight end has long been a trouble spot for the Seahawks. Either they’ve had a tight end that can block but can’t catch, or a tight end that can catch but can’t block. Carlson has a chance to be Seattle’s first tight end in a long time that can both catch and block.

At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Carlson definitely has the size to block. He wasn’t much of a blocker at Notre Dame, but he with further coaching he can improve that part of his game.

At times in college, Carlson looked like a great receiving tight end. However, his senior season was a bit of a disappointment. He caught 40 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. In the scouting combine, Carlson also clocked out as a slower than average tight end. Additionally, Carlson struggled with drops in his college career.

That said, Carlson runs good routes and has shown flashes of being an acrobatic receiver. The Seahawks will hope that he’s capable of starting and playing almost every down. If he can become the full-time tight end, his fantasy potential should be relatively high. Keep an eye on him but as a full-time starter, Carlson is a nice sleeper as a backup tight end in fantasy football.

Photo: Newscom