Elijah Arroyo

ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports that it would be “logical” for the Seahawks to revisit their tight end personnel options “later in the summer,” after gauging Noah Fant’s trade market and testing TE Elijah Arroyo “readiness to step into a starting role.”

Henderson’s latest article sheds light on prior reporting. Evidently, it was Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak who wondered “aloud during pre-draft meetings whether [Arroyo] could essentially take over as Seattle’s X receiver after DK Metcalf was traded” to the Steelers. Assistant GM Nolan Teasley reportedly told Henderson, for the newest piece, that the Seahawks are “looking forward to taking advantage” of Arroyo’s ability to “win against corners.” It is unlikely that the Seahawks would actually move a tight end to the X-receiver role, therefore giving up the player’s natural advantage in working in-line against slow-footed linebackers, but the continued nod toward a multi-faceted role is positive. Unfortunately, Arroyo will have a terribly difficult time producing fantasy-relevant numbers if Fant remains on the roster this season. Splitting reps is not conducive to a TE1 campaign. Trading Fant to a TE-needy team would likely benefit both players. Consider this a tentatively positive drumbeat for Arroyo, though a trade remains necessary for a fantasy-point crescendo to occur.