Saints to sign TE Nick Vannett to three-year contract

The Saints have agreed to sign veteran tight end Nick Vannett, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Wednesday.

The #Saints are signing TE Nick Vannett to a three-year deal, source says. Released by the #Broncos the other day, Vannett finds a new home quickly.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 25, 2021

The Broncos released Vannett this week, and New Orleans swooped in for the experienced blocker who is the likely replacement for departed backup Josh Hill.

Vannett signed with Denver in 2020 and appeared in 15 games with 11 starts. He caught 14 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

The five-year pro started his career in Seattle as a third round pick by the Seahawks in the 2016 NFL Draft. Vannett played the 2019 season with the Steelers.

New Orleans Saints Agree To Terms With TE Nick Vannett On Three-Year Contract

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2021

The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have agreed to terms with free agent TE Nick Vannett on a three-year contract. The announcement was made by Saints’ Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Vannett (pronounced VAN-net), 6-6, 261, is a five-year NFL veteran who was originally selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round (94th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. In five seasons for Seattle, Pittsburgh and Denver, the Westerville, Ohio native has played in 70 regular season games with 33 starts, catching 75 passes for 686 yards (9.1 avg.) with five touchdowns and two special teams tackles.

Vannett, played in 15 games with 11 starts for Denver in 2020 and caught 14 passes for 95 yards and one touchdown. While primarily serving as an important blocking presence during his career, Vannett’s most productive campaign as a pass catcher came in 2018 as a member of Seattle when he posted career-highs in receptions (29), receiving yards (269) and touchdowns (three).

Vannett played in 53 games with 15 starts at Ohio State, totaling 55 receptions for 585 yards (10.6 avg.) and six touchdowns during his career. In 2014, he tallied 19 receptions for 220 yards (11.6 avg.) with a collegiate-best five scores as a member of the Buckeye’s National Championship Team. The Westerville, Ohio native finished his career ranking ninth all-time among the school’s tight ends in receptions and tied for tenth in touchdown receptions.