Seahawks Rookie Tight End Strives to Make Immediate Impact
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the more interesting teams around the league right now, with a confusing situation. Seattle is coming off a 10-7 record, also missing the playoffs, while still shining in many different position areas. However, the Seahawks lost their WR1 in D.K. Metcalf, veteran WR Tyler Lockett, and the spotlight of Seattle’s offseason: replacing Geno Smith with Sam Darnold. After his breakout season in 2024, the Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. The one position that the Seahawks found trouble producing was tight end. They have been trying to find their next ‘Jimmy Graham, ’ and rookie second-round pick Elijah Arroyo could definitely raise some eyebrows.
After four years at the University of Miami, Elijah Arroyo was selected 50th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He had a breakout season in 2024, recording just under 600 yards and seven touchdowns. Standing at six feet five and 245 pounds, Arroyo is a willing blocker and an exceptional route runner with great catching abilities. After losing two of their top pass catchers, Arroyo has a genuine chance to be a difference maker in the new-look Seahawks offense, along with potentially earning the starting tight end spot. Currently, Seattle is paying Noah Fant nine million dollars next season, which is no small amount of money for a guy who has only scored one touchdown in his last season with the Seahawks. Seattle could be looking for a different approach at tight end entering the season.
Two of the biggest concerns with a player after the NFL Draft are their injury history and their character. Elijah Arroyo does have an issue, which is his injury history, considering he tore his ACL in his right knee in 2022, causing him to miss the season, and he only played in four games in 2023 due to lingering issues, despite efforts to recover. Although his injury history might cause concerns, his character surely doesn’t. Arroyo is excited for the opportunity to play against the best in the sport, ready to play on the field wherever he is needed: "I'm an elite competitor. You look on film, you know exactly what you're going to get with me. That's tremendous effort every day.". This rookie tight end could find himself as a starter, come week one of the NFL season.
