Nick Vannett Bio
Nick Vannett (born March 6, 1993) is an American professional football tight end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 258 pounds, he combines a large frame with the soft hands and blocking toughness that defined his pre-draft scouting report. After starring at Ohio State, where he was part of a national championship team, Vannett has built a long NFL career as a dependable tight end and a respected presence in the locker room.
Vannett has played for ten NFL franchises since 2016, working his way from a third-round selection to a veteran role player who continues to contribute on offense and special teams. His career path through the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and now the Los Angeles Rams reflects a steady professional journey shaped by perseverance and a willingness to adapt to any team that calls.
Early Life and Background
Nick Vannett was born on March 6, 1993, in Westerville, Ohio. He grew up in the Columbus suburbs and attended Westerville Central High School, graduating in 2011. At Westerville Central, he played for the Warhawks football team and earned all-metro, all-OCC, and all-district honors for his work at tight end. As a senior, he recorded 47 receptions for 606 yards and eight touchdowns, showing the kind of production that would later catch the attention of major college programs.
Beyond football, Vannett also played baseball in his youth, though he ultimately chose to focus on football as he moved toward the next level. The combination of size, athleticism, and a clean approach to the game made him a natural fit for a high-major program, and he drew recruiting attention from several of the country’s top football schools.
Path to American Football
Vannett committed to Ohio State on June 30, 2010, and signed his letter of intent on February 2, 2011. He redshirted his first year with the Buckeyes, using the time to develop his body and learn the offense before stepping onto the field. Over the next four seasons, he appeared in 53 games for Ohio State, finishing his college career with 55 receptions for 585 yards and six touchdowns while serving as a reliable blocker in the run game.
His biggest college moment came in the first College Football Playoff National Championship. Vannett caught a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give Ohio State a 14–7 lead in a 42–20 victory over the Oregon Ducks, helping the program secure its first national title since 2002. Heading into his senior season, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay rated Vannett as the best tight end prospect in the country, setting the stage for his move to the NFL.
Nick Vannett Career
Pre-Draft and Combine (2015–2016)
On December 8, 2015, it was reported that Vannett had accepted his invitation to play in the 2016 Senior Bowl. During the practice week in Mobile, he impressed scouts with his blocking, hands, and ability to win contested catches, drawing positive reviews from analysts. In the Senior Bowl game on January 30, 2016, he caught three passes for 58 yards as part of the North team coached by Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.
Vannett was one of 15 tight ends invited to the NFL Combine, but a back injury kept him from completing the 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and 10-yard dash. He still managed strong showings in the short shuttle, tying for second overall, and tied South Carolina State’s Temarrick Hemingway for first in the 60-yard shuttle. At Ohio State’s Pro Day on March 11, 2016, he ran his 40, posted a 29½-inch vertical, and broad-jumped 9 feet 5 inches in front of more than 122 team representatives, including head coaches Mike Mularkey, Mike Zimmer, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, and Marvin Lewis. Going into the draft, he was widely viewed as a third- or fourth-round pick, ranked as the second-best tight end by Sports Illustrated, third by NFLDraftScout.com, and fourth by Mike Mayock.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2016–2019)
On April 29, 2016, the Seattle Seahawks selected Vannett in the third round with the 94th overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft. He was the third tight end off the board, behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, and signed a four-year, $3.05 million rookie contract that included a $656,880 signing bonus. Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider originally viewed him as a traditional in-line Y tight end, but he quickly flashed enough receiving ability in offseason workouts to earn a more complete role.
Vannett made his regular-season debut on October 16, 2016, against the Atlanta Falcons, playing three offensive snaps and two on special teams in a 26–24 win. Two weeks later, he caught his first career pass from Russell Wilson, a seven-yard gain against the New Orleans Saints. He made his first career start in a Week 10 win at the New England Patriots and finished his rookie year with three receptions for 32 yards in nine games. In 2017, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 27-yard catch from Russell Wilson in a road win over the San Francisco 49ers, finishing the season with 12 receptions for 124 yards. His most productive Seahawks season came in 2018, when he posted 29 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games and nine starts.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2019)
On September 24, 2019, the Seattle Seahawks traded Vannett to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round pick. He stepped into a depth role on the tight end depth chart and contributed on both offense and special teams. In 16 games and seven starts, he finished the 2019 season with 17 receptions for 166 yards, showing the kind of reliability that made him attractive to teams looking for a versatile veteran.
Denver Broncos (2020)
On April 2, 2020, the Denver Broncos signed Vannett to a two-year, $5.7 million contract, giving him an opportunity for a larger role. He responded with 14 receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown in 15 games and 11 starts, serving as a steady presence in the Broncos’ offense. The Broncos released Vannett on March 23, 2021, ending his brief but productive stint in Denver.
New Orleans Saints (2021–2022)
On March 29, 2021, Vannett signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, reuniting him with the offensive system he had run pieces of at Ohio State. An early injury sent him to injured reserve, but he returned on November 11 and finished 2021 with nine receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown in seven games and two starts. The Saints released him on November 19, 2022, opening the door for his next opportunity.
New York Giants (2022)
On November 22, 2022, the New York Giants signed Vannett to their practice squad, and they promoted him to the active roster on December 3. He provided a veteran presence at tight end as New York pushed through the final stretch of the regular season and into the postseason, adding experience to a young tight end room.
Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers (2023)
On August 2, 2023, Vannett signed with the Houston Texans, but the team released him on August 29. He quickly caught on with the Los Angeles Chargers, signing to their practice squad on August 31, and the Chargers elevated him to the active roster on November 1. He played eight games for the Chargers in 2023, contributing as a blocker and a safety valve in the passing game.
Tennessee Titans (2024)
On May 13, 2024, Vannett signed with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting him with quarterback Mason Rudolph from their 2019 Pittsburgh days. He played all 17 games of the 2024 season with 10 starts, posting 17 receptions for 135 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. His dependability on third down and in the red zone made him a valuable piece of Tennessee’s offense.
Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams (2025–Present)
On August 4, 2025, Vannett signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but he was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. The Vikings signed him to their practice squad the next day, and on September 11, they promoted him to the active roster before releasing him on October 6 and re-signing him to the practice squad three days later. On November 26, 2025, the Los Angeles Rams signed Vannett to their active roster off the Vikings’ practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity to contribute down the stretch of the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vannett has built his career on physicality, sure hands, and a willingness to do the dirty work as an in-line blocker. He excels as a chain-mover on possession routes and shows the focus to win contested catches in traffic, a skill set that consistently translates across offensive systems. Coaches have long praised his work ethic and team-first approach, which have helped him remain an NFL contributor for nearly a decade.
Notable Events and Milestones
Vannett’s career-defining moment came on the biggest stage in college football, when his one-yard touchdown catch helped Ohio State beat Oregon 42–20 in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship. In the NFL, he has celebrated his first career touchdown, his first career start, and a career-high three-touchdown season in 2024, all signs of a player who continues to add to his resume.
Nick Vannett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Nick Vannett’s parents and family background is limited, and detailed details are not widely confirmed.
Personal Life
Vannett graduated from Ohio State with a degree in sports industry, reflecting his long-standing interest in the business side of athletics. Details about his spouse and children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a whirlwind for Nick Vannett, who has navigated three different organizations in a single calendar year. After spending training camp with the Minnesota Vikings, he was released during final cuts, then shuffled between the Vikings’ practice squad and active roster through early autumn. His experience and positional flexibility made him a logical depth option for a team sorting out its tight end rotation.
On November 26, 2025, the Los Angeles Rams signed Vannett to their active roster off the Vikings’ practice squad, offering him a chance to contribute in a playoff push. The move gave the Rams a veteran pass-catcher and blocker, while giving Vannett a stable landing spot late in the year. With the Rams chasing postseason positioning, his role in the offense and on special teams is likely to expand as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Vannett’s steady play and team-first reputation should keep him in demand as a veteran tight end. Whether he remains in Los Angeles or moves on to another contender, his mix of size, blocking, and reliable hands ensures he has a place on an NFL roster. His journey from Ohio State national champion to long-tenured professional is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and quiet consistency.