The Seattle Seahawks have had a hard time finding the right tight end to fit Mike Holmgren's West Coast offense.

John Carlson may be their long-awaited answer.

Carlson, taken with the seventh pick of the second round during Saturday's NFL Draft, was considered by many analysts as the best all-around tight end.

That will come in handy in Seattle, where its best all-around tight end is Jeb Putzier, who has 96 career catches in six seasons with Denver and Houston.

Will Heller, a five-year veteran journey man, has just 32 catches in 58 games and is more well known for his blocking.

Joe Newton and Zac Alcorn, a pair of undrafted players, are the other two tight ends on the Seahawks roster.

Marcus Pollard, Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens - a former first-round pick by Seattle in 2002 - have all left the organization in recent years.

With an offense that relies heavily on the throwing of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (the Seahawks were eighth in the league in passing yards and ninth in scoring in 2007), I can't imagine Carlson could have found a much better fit to start his pro career.

And if Carlson sticks in Seattle, I've got another reason to go and visit my friends in the Pacific Northwest.