While the Seattle Seahawks certainly miss the presence and steadiness of tight end Zach Miller, they are discovering a new talent at the position. Cooper Helfet, an undrafted tight end out of Duke University, is beginning to make an impact on an offense that has struggled with a consistent passing game all year long. Most people pointed to Luke Willson to be Miller’s replacement, but Helfet has been the player that has made big plays. His stats wouldn’t show it, but Helfet has made plays in key moments, especially in Sunday’s game.
Helfet’s 20-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday was the only play to find the end zone in the entire game. It was an impressive run-after-catch as he had to leap to touch the ball to the pylon for the score. The touchdown put Seattle up 19-3 going into the fourth quarter, a score that would end up being the final. The third-year tight end also had a key block that sprung quarterback Russell Wilson‘s touchdown run, which was unfortunately called back due to a holding penalty. He even had a great play on special teams, making a physical tackle on a Cardinals player after the Seahawks blocked a punt.
On a team that lacks a natural red-zone target, Helfet may provide the answer. The Seahawks had good field position all day against the Cardinals. However, in five trips to the red-zone, Seattle’s only touchdown came on Helfet’s catch-and-run. This may be a sign of things to come, as the young tight end has one of the few big bodies that Wilson can target in the red zone. Helfet’s first touchdown of the year also came in the red zone, a 19-yard touchdown in an eventual loss to the St. Louis Rams back in Week 6. His 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame makes him an ideal big-bodied receiver to throw the ball deep in an opponent’s territory.
Something tells me that Sunday’s red-zone touchdown won’t be the last one for Cooper Helfet in 2014.
Connor Frederickson is a Seattle Seahawks Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @cfredrun or add him to your network on Google.
These five little-known players who mostly fly under the radar could come up big for the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Read More
The San Diego Chargers recently signed Austin Pettis to a deal and it is a good move for next season. See exactly why here. Read More
The Jacksonville Jaguars are already changing offensive coordinators, but what other changes should the team make for the 2015 NFL season? Read More
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be with Jerry Jones as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFL divisional round. Read More
If Rex Ryan becomes the next head coach of the Chicago Bears, fans can expect to see Marc Trestman back as the offensive coordinator. Read More
It's another dreary offseason in sunny Jacksonville. Here are five things the Jacksonville Jaguars must improve to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Read More
Looking at the playoff successes for the tandem of Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh, they actually stack up just as well as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. See why that may actually favor the Ravens. Read More
The key to the Dallas Cowboys coming out of Green Bay with a win is getting off to a fast start, and here's why. Read More
The Philadelphia Eagles need to change some things before the start of next season. Read More
Here are five players the Houston Texans could use the franchise tag on this offseason. Read More
The Seattle Seahawks are in the midst of a playoff run, but that does not mean it is too early to look ahead to next season. Here are five players set to break out in 2015. Read More
The Baltimore Ravens had a successful draft last year, and rookies are already establishing themselves as playmakers on this team. Here are five young guys I expect to have a great 2015 season. Read More