Redskins Depth Chart: Analyzing the team’s tight end group

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-24. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Starter: TE Jordan Reed

There’s no question that Jordan Reed is on the top of the tight end depth chart. He is the most talented player the team has at the position and is arguably a top five tight end league-wide. However, there is always a risk that Reed might fall to the bottom of the depth chart at any given moment. And that is his spotty medical history.

Throughout his entire NFL career, Reed has never played a full 16 game slate. In fact, he has suited up for just 52-of-80 regular season contests, which means he has missed a resounding 35 percent of games played. Reed is just a very fragile player, and it seems that he is always listed on the injury report.

Take the 2017 season for example. Reed played six contests early in the season, but he fell victim to a phantom hamstring injury. It’s unclear exactly when Reed got hurt, but fans kept expecting to see him improve enough to return to action. He never did, and he ended up spending the end of the season on Injured Reserve. This was after already suffering a rib/sternum injury and a toe injury in the offseason.

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To further add to the laundry list of injuries that Reed has suffered: he has had multiple concussions at the NFL level, he suffered a shoulder separation in 2016 against the Cowboys, and he has also dealt with thigh and hip injuries as well. These maladies all combine to paint a scary outlook for Reed supporters. Every time it seems like he’s fully healthy, he just gets nicked up again.

However, when Reed is healthy, he can be a versatile weapon and is arguably the best receiver on the field at times. He is an athletic mismatch with good height, strength, and vertical speed. In his best season, 2015, Reed caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 scores. He really helped to carry the Redskins offense, and it’s easy to imagine him becoming that sort of force again… if he can stay healthy.

In 2018, the Redskins are going to hope that Reed finally can put together a full season, or at least can be on the field for 12 games minimum. He would complement Paul Richardson, Josh Doctson, and Jamison Crowder very well. It’s also worth noting that his ability to patrol the middle of the field opens up opportunities for Crowder. And at the same time, Reed can play outside and win jump-ball battles over smaller, less athletic receivers.

Reed is always an X-factor for the Redskins. There’s a chance that he could become a star once again. At one time, it could have been argued that he was the second best tight end in the league behind Rob Gronkowski. But for now, he is what he is. An excellent talent who needs to prove that he can stay healthy. If he can do that, the Redskins offense will greatly improve. For that reason, he profiles as a high-level starter.

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