After joining his fifth different team in six seasons, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones is looking for a permanent home with the New York Giants.
Seals-Jones has played in 54 games with just 15 starts, totaling 90 receptions for 1,044 yards (11.6 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He started a career-high six games for Washington last season, finishing the year with 30 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
With the Giants, Seals-Jones (6-5, 243 pounds) has his biggest opportunity yet. As the roster currently stands, the veteran is easily the most experienced tight end on the roster. Jake Hausmann and Rysen John have yet to appear in an NFL game, while Chris Myarick has just three receptions for 17 yards and a score in 11 career games (three starts).
"Just the opportunity to come in and compete for the [No.] 1 spot," Seals-Jones, 27, told the Giants Huddle podcast. "I like what the coaches said I've got going on. Just come in and try to shake up the division and go from there…
"I'm coming in and trying to take the [No.] 1 spot and compete for it. That's my goal, is to come in and take it day by day, and go out and compete."
Similar to a lot of the other free agents the Giants signed this offseason, Seals-Jones has prior experience with the coaching staff. The tight end spent the 2020 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was serving as quarterbacks coach & passing game coordinator.
"It helped a lot. We were in KC together, spent a season together, and I learned a lot from him," Seals-Jones said. "Just having small conversations on the practice field. It was good, and when you have that relationship it kind of makes your decision a little bit easier. I sat down and thought about it, and felt like it was a great fit for me."
As for how Kafka's creativity from his time with the Chiefs could benefit Seals-Jones this season, the veteran tight end could not contain his excitement.
"Speed and creativity. You just have to pick his brain," said the tight end. "He's gifted in what he does. I'm excited to be a part of that and see the creativity that he comes up with."
Seals-Jones' experience in Kansas City also put him in the tight ends room with Travis Kelce, one of the greatest to play the position. Having a front-row seat proved helpful.
"Watching Kelce when I was in KC, you just see a lot of things that he does and the way he communicates with his QB," said the tight end. "You try to take that and use that when you go to a new team or the quarterback that you have and are playing with. I feel like I did that a little bit last year with Taylor (Heinicke), me and him got on the same page and had some stuff going. I'm just trying to bring that here."
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has shown a fondness toward tight ends - Evan Engram (who has signed with the Jaguars) was one of the team's leading receivers in each of the last three seasons.
"Really, just being a safety net is how I see it as tight ends," Seal-Jones said of how he can assist Jones. "As far as down the field throws, if it's not there, he knows that you're in your spot. When we start up, that's one of the biggest things for me, is to just let him know 'Hey, I'm going to be where you need me to be.' So, just in case some stuff goes wrong or pocket collapses or whatever, scramble drill, he knows that he has his security blanket in his pocket. That's one of the biggest things for me."
View photos of the career of new Giants tight end Ricky-Seals Jones.
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday Oct. 17, 2021 in Landover, Md.. The Kansas City Chiefs won 31-13 (Alika Jenner via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches the ball during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday Oct. 17, 2021 in Landover, Md.. The Kansas City Chiefs won 31-13 (Alika Jenner via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) makes a catch during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday Oct. 10, 2021 in Landover, Md. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct.17, 2021, in Landover, Md. The Chiefs defeated the Washington Football Team 31-13. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) plays the field against the New York Giants during an NFL game, Thursday, Sep. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington beat the Giants 30-29. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) celebrates his touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) goes out for a pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated Washington 56-14. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) signals to the sideline during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, MD. The Washington Football Team defeated the Buccaneers 29-19. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Washington Football Team's Ricky Seals-Jones, left, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches a pass during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, MD. The Washington Football Team defeated the Buccaneers 29-19. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, MD. The Washington Football Team defeated the Buccaneers 29-19. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs a route during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 in Denver. The Broncos won, 17-10. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Landover, MD. The Saints defeated the Washington Football Team 33-22. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) makes adjustments at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) during the first halfan NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) lines up during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct 24. 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs the ball against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches a pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Dee Delaney (30) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs with the ball as he catches a third quarter pass for a first down during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 in Landover, Md. The Chiefs defeated Washington 31-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) straight arms Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Ben Niemann (56) as he catches a touchdown pass that cuts the Kansas City Chiefs second quarter lead to 13-10 during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 in Landover, Md. The Chiefs defeated Washington 31-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) makes a catch during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct 24. 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Ben Niemann (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Ben Niemann (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Football Team tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones scores on a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs a route during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 27-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) makes a catch during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Glendale, Ariz. (Gene Lower via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs a route during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 27-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with tight end Demetrius Harris (88) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches a pass in pregame during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Denver. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Greg Trott via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-19. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight ends Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. The Seahawks won 32-28. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-19. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019,(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones reacts after scoring on a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Brien Aho)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches the football during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Cleveland. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 32-28. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-19. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) catches a pass behind San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during an NFL game, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Browns 31-3. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. The Seahawks won 32-28. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept.29, 2019, in Baltimore. The Browns defeated the Ravens 40-25. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Cleveland Browns Ricky Seals-Jones (83) rushes for a 31-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Cleveland Browns Ricky Seals-Jones rushes for a 31-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones (83) runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Cleveland Browns Ricky Seals-Jones catches a 31-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch and runs for a touchdown during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday Nov. 26, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs against the Denver Broncosduring the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Nov. 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones lines up against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones makes a reception in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-14. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch and runs downfield during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Dec. 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs up field during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) jumps and catches a pass during pregame warmups before the NFL week 7 regular season football game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos won the game 45-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo )
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) in action during a game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday Nov. 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) catches a warm up pass during a NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos won the game 45-10. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch and scores a touchdown during a game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Sep. 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) fends off the tackle of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (48) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (85) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones , right, catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Glendale, Ariz. Chicago won 16-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) is chased by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Isaiah Johnson (27) as he catches a pass for a gain of 8 yards to the Rams 46 yard line during the 2018 NFL regular season week 2 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Los Angeles. The Rams won the game in a 34-0 shutout. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch and scores a touchdown during a game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Sep. 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) runs with the ball while Los Angeles Rams defensive back Marqui Christian (41) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) runs upfield with a reception during an NFL Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rams shutout the Cardinals 34-0. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) runs upfield with a reception during an NFL Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rams shutout the Cardinals 34-0. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears after making a catch during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Rams won 32-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) scores a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) runs after the catch for a touchdown as Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) and pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes the catch as Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Mark Barron (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch and runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday Nov. 19, 2017 in Houston. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) catches a pass for a touchdown over Houston Texans strong safety Marcus Gilchrist (21) and cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) jumps and makes a one handed catch during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday Oct. 8, 2017 in Philadelphia. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) signals first down after his catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) in action during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Giants, 23-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) scores a touchdown past Houston Texans strong safety Marcus Gilchrist (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones runs with a reception in action against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2017. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch and runs for a touchdown then celebrates during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday Nov. 26, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. (Gene Lower via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) jumps and makes a catch during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday Nov. 19, 2017 in Houston. (Gene Lower via AP)
Seals-Jones caught two touchdowns last season, one of which came against the Giants in Week 2. Late in the fourth quarter, the tight end went up and made an incredible play in the corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown, giving Washington a one-point lead with a little over four minutes remaining.
The Texas native has come a long way since his days at Texas A&M. During his four years with the Aggies, Seals-Jones played wide receiver, catching 123 passes for 1,442 yards and 10 touchdowns. But he was always rather large for his position.
While preparing for the 2017 NFL Draft, his cousin convinced him to convert to tight end because of his size. Although some NFL prospects may not enjoy it when family members meddle with their careers, different rules apply when your cousin is Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.
"I didn't want to hear it. I was just stubborn at the time," Seals-Jones explained about the position switch. "But I'm glad I did, it's working out for me. But yeah, it was a conversation where I kind of had to swallow my pride, like 'Man, I've been a receiver all of my life. I've been balling out in college.' That conversation was tough. But it was a good one to have. He helped me in a good way. I'm glad for him to have put me in that position."
The new Giants tight end has a great advisor in the form of Dickerson, as the two continue to speak daily about both football and life outside of the sport. And the tight end is still trying to improve his game.
"I've gotten better each year and just continue to be a [complete] tight end and focus on the little things of run blocking, pass catching," Seals-Jones said. "Yeah, I look at every year and feel like I get better and better. The more opportunities I've gotten, I've shown. I just keep stacking those days, putting in the work and hopefully it pays off."
Seals-Jones got his first taste of what playing in the NFC East is like last year. With six more matchups to come this season, the veteran cannot wait to face off against the rest of the division.
"It's a grind. It's a grind and I love it," Seals-Jones said. "I think last year I fit in perfectly with this division. Any given Sunday, you can wake up and lose, so you have to come with it. You can't take any team in this division lightly, no matter what their record is because you can get beat. I love it. I love how you have to prepare like it's the Super Bowl every week in this division. I'm excited to get things going again."
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