Seahawks rookie minicamp notebook: TE Vannett embracing role as blocker Lawler shines in first pro practice; Defensive emphasis with UDFAs

Rookie guard Rees Odhiambo, left, listens to a coach during the first day of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football rookie minicamp on Friday, May 6, 2016 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. (GRANT HINDSLEY, seattlepi.com) less Rookie guard Rees Odhiambo, left, listens to a coach during the first day of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football rookie minicamp on Friday, May 6, 2016 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. (GRANT HINDSLEY, ... more Photo: GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Seahawks rookie minicamp notebook: TE Vannett embracing role as blocker 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

RENTON -- Seahawks rookie tight end Nick Vannett embraced playing the role of a blocking tight end after being a pass catcher earlier in his career.

Speaking with reporters after Friday's rookie minicamp practice from the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, the 23-year-old said picking up the intricacies of run blocking at Ohio State was a necessity after teammate Jeff Heuerman was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2015 draft.

"That's something I didn't do a lot of at Ohio State until my senior year," Vannett told reporters. "I had a guy in front of me who was mainly a blocker and I was a receiver. Once he moved on I had to pick up that role. I'm definitely not where I need to be right now, but I've made great strides in it and going to continue to make great strides."

Vannett, whom Seattle selected with the No. 94 pick overall in the third round of last week's draft, said he doesn't mind being cast in the role of a block-first tight end.

"You have to be a team player and that's how I've always been," he said. "As long as we're winning games and winning championships I don't care how many balls come my way. We were very successful at Ohio State so I embraced it and as long as we're winning games nothing else will really matter to me."

Lawler impresses

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said seventh-round wide receiver Kenny Lawler stood out during Friday's practice.

"Kenny Lawler had a great day today," he said. "He must have caught four balls that were terrific catches. He's a guy that is noted for tremendous catching range and he had four spectacular opportunities today, and he made them all. ... His hands are so good that we're not surprised that he can make those plays, but to get a chance to show it on his first day is pretty cool."

Defensive focus to UDFAs

The Seahawks didn't draft any linebackers or defensive backs in the 2016 draft, but they made up for it with their undrafted free-agent signings. Of the 13 players the team announced signing on Friday, a whopping seven play in the second and third levels of the defense.

Christian French (Oregon), Montese Overton (East Carolina) and David Perkins (Illinois State) were all listed as defensive ends on the Seahawks' minicamp roster, but will compete for a job as a strongside linebacker (SAM) role, with Steve Longa (Rutgers) is a more traditional linebacker type.

In the secondary, DeAndre Elliott (Colorado State) was the only cornerback signed to a rookie free agent deal, joining safeties Tyvis Powell (Ohio State) and Tanner McEvoy (Wisconsin). McEvoy was a do-everything player in college for the Badgers, seeing time at quarterback, receiver and safety. Though he was listed as a wide receiver on the roster, he spend all of Friday playing on defense.

Here's the entire list of undrafted free agents.

QB Trevone Boykin, TCU, 6-0, 213

FB/DT Brandin Bryant, Florida Atlantic, 6-2, 289

CB DeAndre Elliott, Colorado State, 6-1, 189

T George Fant, Western Kentucky, 6-5, 296

LB Christian French, Oregon, 6-5, 249

DT Lars Koht, Florida International, 6-5, 279

LB Steve Longa, Rutgers, 6-0, 241

RB Tre Madden, USC, 6-0, 223

T Lene Maiava, Arizona, 6-4, 314

FS Tanner McEvoy, Wisconsin, 6-6, 230

LB Montese Overton, East Carolina, 6-1, 226

LB David Perkins, Illinois State, 6-2, 233

SS Tyvis Powell, Ohio State, 6-3, 211

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