Done Deal: Seahawks Land 6-Foot-6 Playmaker & Former Top-5 Tight End While Making Cuts
The Seattle Seahawks bolstered their tight end depth by signing former UCLA standout Michael Ezeike and ex-Pittsburg State player Devon Garrison. To accommodate these additions, the team released cornerback Willie Roberts and linebacker Devin Richardson.
Seattle is currently dealing with injuries at tight end, as both Pharaoh Brown and Jack Westover were hurt during the team’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024.
Garrison is an intriguing prospect due to his impressive performance at Pittsburg State, where he recorded 53 receptions for 855 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023. Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound tight end will be competing for a roster spot along with Ezeike.
Here’s what you need to know about these signings and the Seahawks’ tight end situation as they head into the 2024 season.
Seahawks Michael Ezeike Is a Former Top-10 Tight End Recruit
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Michael Ezeike had brief stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and the UFL’s Memphis Showboats. His standout collegiate season came in 2022, when he recorded 20 receptions for 226 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Ezeike, like Garrison, brings significant size to the position at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds. He was a highly regarded recruit out of Colony High School, ranking as a top-10 tight end nationally before committing to UCLA. Ahead of the 2023 draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Ezeike as a priority free agent, noting his potential despite some areas needing improvement.
Zierlein’s pre-draft analysis highlighted Ezeike’s transition from wide receiver to tight end, noting that while he struggles with body control and poise in blocks, he shows determination and hand strength once engaged. Though not particularly elusive as a route runner, Ezeike has decent skills after the catch and could be a developmental prospect with potential for a practice squad spot.
The Seahawks Face Difficult Decisions at Tight End
Both Michael Ezeike and Devon Garrison face a challenging path to securing a spot on the Seahawks’ final roster due to the team’s current depth at tight end. Before these recent additions, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar projected that the four tight ends most likely to make the 53-man roster are Pharaoh Brown, Noah Fant, Brady Russell, and AJ Barner, with Jack Westover and Tyler Mabry anticipated to be cut.
Dugar, in an August 12 story titled “Seahawks roster projection: Tough decisions loom at RB, WR, CB,” noted that Seattle carried four tight ends last season and might do so again. He highlighted Russell’s strong performance in camp and the preseason, including a touchdown catch and run in the first preseason game, and his blocking skills. Dugar also mentioned that Barner’s draft status as a fourth-round pick makes it unlikely for general manager John Schneider to cut him after just one training camp, despite Barner’s limited impact so far.
Noah Fant is expected to be the leading tight end, and his performance will be a key focus under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.