The Seahawks signed tight end AJ Barner, a fourth-round pick out of Michigan, making him the fifth member of Seattle's eight-player draft class to sign.
First-round pick Byron Murphy II signed earlier this month while in town for rookie minicamp, while fifth-round pick Nehemiah Pritchett, sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea and sixth-round pick D.J. James all signed earlier in the day Monday.
Barner, who won a national title with Michigan last season after transferring from Indiana, appeared in 15 games for the Wolverines with eight starts, catching 22 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown, and was considered one of the best blocking tight ends in this year's draft.
"His run after the catch is good," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "I think he's an underrated athlete. I think he's got a little bit more weight to put on, but the blocking tight end is a really important position. It starts in the C-gap in the run game and who's going to defend it and who's going to block it, so you have to be able to answer those questions. Those skill sets don't just grow on trees. It's tough to do. So we expect him to be able to do that. It's a coveted skill set."
Seahawks rookies arrived at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center and were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks rookies were fitted for equipment on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
