The loss of Jimmy Graham after the 2017 season left the Seattle Seahawks without a true red zone threat. The Seahawks filled their tight end spot with veteran Ed Dickson, who missed the first eight games while on the injured reserve, veteran Nick Vannett, and rookie Will Dissly.

Dissly emerged as the top option at the position early in the season, but suffered a serious knee injury right at the start of Week 4, and missed the rest of the campaign.

However, Dissly recovered very quickly, and has already demonstrated this year that he can be that go-to guy for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks when they get down near the goal line.

“He can really catch,” Wilson commented on Thursday. “His timing is remarkable. How he makes just plays, his catch radius is really special, he’s physical, I think that’s the defensive lineman in him. I think that’s the hard worker in him.”

Dissly came to the Seahawks from nearby University of Washington. He had been a defensive lineman for his first two seasons, but converted to tight end to serve primarily as an extra blocker up front.

That was expected to be his role in Seattle, but he emerged as an excellent pass catcher and has given the Seahawks another weapon in the passing game.

“From the moment he got here, we knew he was so talented,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “I see a better football player now than I saw even in college. I think the instincts and the ability to make people miss and the tough catches that he makes. He just does so many things really, really well.”

Dissly hauled in two touchdown passes last Sunday against the Steelers, and he will look to once again be a factor for Seattle down near the goal line.

He attributes his success as a pass catcher primarily to the quarterbacks he has had, dating back to high school. He also believes the trust he and Wilson have built is a big part of his success as well.

“That’s pretty much our job as receivers, is to build trust and confidence in the quarterback,” Dissly stated. “So, anytime that you have a quarterback looking at you, I think you really want him to have confidence in you. Russ [Wilson] is doing his thing. He’s reading, taking what the defense gives you. You can’t guarantee those opportunities. Like I said, to have that trust and confidence, that when there’s a window there, that he’s willing to fire his gun, and obviously good things happen.”

Dissly and Wilson will look to connect for another score (or two) on Sunday against the Saints as they look to move to 3-0 on the season.

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