Redskins Position Group Breakdown: Tight Ends
There’s not a lot of controversy when it comes to the tight end position for Washington, as the Redskins tight end group is pretty solid overall, and provides depth too.
The top of the depth chart for Washington heading into training camp this summer is set:
Obviously Jordan Reed is the Redskins starter. He backed up his breakout season with another stellar year in 2016, when he was actually healthy enough to take the field. Over the past two years Reed has compiled 153 receptions for 1,638 yards, 10.7 yards per reception, and for 17 touchdowns. He has easily risen to the top at his position after displaying elite receiving skills, as well as his ability to run routes and beat linebackers and defensive backs alike. The only knock on Reed is the ability to stay healthy for a full 16 games. Heading into his second year of his new 5-year extension, it’s important that he treats his body right when training, and I assume he is. If he’s healthy he is a game changer, and the motor for this Redskins offense.
Backing up Jordan Reed is 32 year old Vernon Davis. Davis had his best season since 2013 as a 49er, compiling 583 yards on 44 catches, with 2 touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field was proven to still be existent, as he had a 13.3 yard per reception average.
Competition under Davis:
After Reed and Davis, the position is a little murky, although not in a bad way. The Redskins extended Niles Paul 2 seasons ago to a 3-year deal. Heading into his final year of that extension he has played in a total of 8 games. Paul, 27, missed the entire 2015 season due to an injury in the first pre-season game for Washington, and another season ender 8 games into the 2016 campaign. It’s on Paul this year to prove he’s worth staying on the roster by producing like the versatile tight end that his former head coach Mike Shanahan had envisioned him of being. Paul finished 2016 with only 2 catches for 27 yards.
Derek Carrier was another player coming off of a season ending injury from 2015. He was available in the last 8 games of the year for Washington. He finished 2016 with only 2 catches as well for Washington, for 10 yards.
Carrier and Paul has something to prove this year if they want a roster spot, as the newly drafted tight end Jeremy Sprinkle will be competing for their roster spot, along with Wes Saxton who’s heading into his 3rd year as a pro. Both Sprinkle and Saxton provide the prototypical size for the tight end position as they are 6’5” and 6’4” respectively. Both are solid receivers; however the need for Washington is a solid in-line tight end who can block in the run game just as well as he can catch. Look for one of these two to emerge as that guy. I feel Sprinkle is more likely to be that guy because he was more successful at that coming out of college.
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