Seattle traded tight end Nick Vannett to Pittsburgh on…
Seattle traded tight end Nick Vannett to Pittsburgh on September 25, 2019 for a 2020 fifth-round pick. Vannett supplied the Steelers with 13 games, six starts, 13 receptions and 128 yards that season, then left after the year. Seattle later used the acquired No. 162 selection in the trade for cornerback Quinton Dunbar, preserving additional transaction value from a departing depth player.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Nick Vannett
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2020 5th round pick (162nd overall; subsequently traded to Washington for Quinton Dunbar )
Trade Analysis
What Pittsburgh Bought
The Steelers made the move in late September 2019 after injuries and roster needs created a reason to add an experienced tight end. Nick Vannett arrived with more than three seasons of NFL experience and could contribute immediately in multiple tight end roles. Pittsburgh surrendered its 2020 fifth-round choice, accepting a future asset cost in exchange for a player who could help during the current season.
The Short-Term Return
Vannett did fill a role, but the production was modest. He played 13 games for Pittsburgh, started six, caught 13 passes and gained 128 receiving yards without scoring a touchdown. That is real use for an in-season acquisition, yet it never became a multi-year payoff. Vannett moved on after the season, leaving the Steelers with less than one full year of service for the fifth-rounder.
What Seattle Did With the Pick
Seattle received the future fifth-round choice, which became the No. 162 selection in the 2020 draft. The Seahawks did not make the player selection attached to that slot. Instead, they sent the pick to Washington in the March 2020 trade for cornerback Quinton Dunbar. Washington ultimately used No. 162 on Khaleke Hudson. For this verdict, the important point is that Seattle retained and then reused the acquired draft capital.
Value Compared
The Seahawks converted a tight end who was no longer central to their plans into a fifth-round asset. Pittsburgh received a functional contributor, but only for 13 games and six starts. Seattle's return remained movable capital into the following offseason, while Pittsburgh's return expired after one season.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. Seattle earns a B for extracting a fifth-round pick and later using that asset in another transaction. Pittsburgh earns a C because Vannett helped the 2019 roster, but the short tenure and limited receiving production did not justify a stronger grade.