Seahawks: Why John Carlson Is the Seattles' Most Valuable Offensive Asset

When someone says the Seattle Seahawks offense, which name comes to mind?

Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander (former), TJ Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Walter Jones, and many other names.

One name that is now well known amongst the NFL's finest is tight end John Carlson, who is now entering his second season in the NFL.

The Seahawks made Carlson their second round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. At the time, the Seahawks passed on another top tight end, Dustin Keller, who wound up being second to the Notre Dame product, who set many Seahawks records in his rookie season.

This offseason, the Seahawks wanted to boost their receiving options and signed free agent wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh to a five year, $40 million contract.

Houshmandzadeh was added to Nate Burleson, Deion Branch, and rookie wide receiver Deon Butler.

Now, as any offensive coordinator will tell you, a tight end is one of the most important assets in an offense, next to the quarterback, and left tackle, who most don't consider weapons.

There has been a lot of whoop-la surrounding Houshmandzadeh, and rightfully so. But now, in Seattle, where Housh will be the No. 1 wide receiver, there must be another trusted option.

Some might say Nate Burleson. Some might say Deion Branch. Some might even say rookie wide receiver Deon Butler.

But I say the real second option is John Carlson.

Carlson is already doing things that took Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten three to four years to learn.

ESPN.com fantasy has Carlson listed as the 10th best tight end in the NFL, and rightfully so.

Now, in the last two years, Carlson, both at Notre Dame and with the Seahawks, went unnoticed.

Carlson was a first round talent, but, because of how poorly Notre Dame played in 2007, he fell to the second round.

Then, last season, when the Seahawks went 4-12, no one saw any silver lining and Carlson was overlooked by many.

Now, in Seahawks Nation, he was the poster boy before Houshmandzadeh signed because, for Carlson, it doesn't matter who is under center because he fits every quarterback.

Even though Houshmandzadeh has the big contract and long name, John Carlson is the most important weapon to the Seahawks for two reasons.

When Housh and Burleson are covered, Carlson is always an open target right in the middle because all four wide receivers are going to stretch the field this season.

Two, because just like the first reason, all four wide receivers will stretch the field, allowing Carlson to match up with either a defensive linemen or a linebacker.

Carlson wins both of those battles, everytime.

Also, for fantasy perspective, Carlson is not a big name, so he'll fall to the later rounds. so you're getting top five round talent in the final rounds of the draft.

Just something to consider.