On paper, the Washington Redskins should have one of the best tight end groups in the NFL. In practice, that hasn’t always been the case.
For the last few seasons, the Redskins have been considered one of the most tight end rich teams in the NFL. When looking at their personnel, it’s clear that is true. However, the reality of the game of football hasn’t always allowed that paper talent to translate on the field.
Thanks largely to medical issues, the Redskins have had a merely solid tight end group for the better part of the last two seasons. That figures to continue into the 2018 season, but as always, there is reason for optimism in the unit. That is, of course, provided that they can stay healthy at the position, which hasn’t happened for a long while.
That said, here’s a look at the 2018 tight end group and what to expect the depth chart to look like. And it all starts with a familiar face at the top (for now).
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.
Primary Backup: TE Vernon Davis
Following the 2015 NFL season, it seemed that Vernon Davis’ NFL career was over. The veteran had come off what was one of his worst seasons. Playing for the 49ers and Broncos, he had totaled just 38 catches for 395 yards. He had little explosive ability left. He didn’t separate well and wasn’t a scoring threat. The writing was on the wall.
But, Davis was able to land another gig in the NFL. The Washington Redskins signed him to a short term deal to be their backup to Jordan Reed. At time, nobody thought much of this. Davis was just there to provide Niles Paul with competition for the backup role. But there was no way that an over-the-hill veteran would unseat Paul, a solid all-around player and special teams captain. Right? Not quite.
In his first year in Washington, Davis found a perfect role for himself as the primary backup. He started 14 games serving as a role player, and he filled in when needed and did a good job. He looked quicker than he had in the previous season and established a good rapport with Kirk Cousins. This was how Davis was able to log 44 catches for 583 yards and two scores. It set him up for another contract, which he signed with the Redskins, and he went into the 2017 season expecting to either reprise his role or take a minor step back while still contributing.
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Instead, Davis took a step forward. With Reed missing most of the 2017 campaign, Davis found himself as the primary starting option at tight end. And he continued to shake off the rest and rediscover his athletic ability.
Davis was a solid vertical threat down the middle of the field, and he frequently was able to get into open space. This time around, he logged 43 catches for 648 yards and three touchdowns. His average yards per catch of 15.1 was the third highest of his career, and it was clear that he fit perfectly into Jay Gruden‘s offensive vision.
This season, the expectations for Davis are, once again, fairly average. He is probably going to see a good chunk of playing time, but if Reed is healthy, he won’t see a lion’s share of the workload. This could actually benefit him and allow him to keep himself fresher. After all, he did turn 34 in January and has been playing in the league for 12 years. So, avoiding overworking him will be key.
It will also help Davis that he is reuniting with a familiar face: Alex Smith. The duo worked together in San Francisco for seven years before Smith was ultimately traded to the Chiefs. Smith wasn’t always Davis’ primary quarterback, but the two certainly know each other’s skill sets inside and out. Thus, that will give them a chance to develop strong chemistry early. And that will help Davis to succeed now that Cousins, who obviously like throwing to him, is gone.
Right now, there’s not much pressure on Davis. He’s the clear-cut No. 2 tight end, and he could be a starter in a lot of packages. Davis is a great receiver, a solid blocker, and a reliable presence. He should continue to have a positive impact on his Washington teammates.
Primary Blocker: TE Jeremy Sprinkle
The Redskins made a somewhat unpopular move this offseason when they let Niles Paul walk in free agency. Paul had trouble staying healthy during his tenure in Washington, but he was a special teams captain who could block, return kicks, and catch passes. He even played fullback at times. Still, Paul left the team, and it’s pretty clear that they have faith in their potential replacement.
That man is Jeremy Sprinkle. A former fifth round pick out of Arkansas, Sprinkle spent his first season with the Redskins as a member of the active roster. He served mostly as the No. 4 tight end to start the season, but he got more action as the year went along and the injuries piled up. Sprinkle doesn’t offer much as a receiver, but that won’t be the role he’s asked to play.
Sprinkle is the ideal blocking tight end for the NFL. Armed with great 6-foot-5 size and a solid 252 pound frame, Sprinkle should have the skills necessary to find success as a blocker. He did well in limited action last season, and he should be a gritty, hard-nosed player for the Redskins offense.
Also, Sprinkle isn’t entirely lost as a receiver. He caught two passes last year for 13 yards and a touchdown. It’s not much but again, considering how infrequently he was on the field and that he was one of the bottom-rung targets for Cousins, that’s solid. And because of his size, he could learn to be a big, physical red zone threat, especially off play action for a multiple tight end set.
With more action, Sprinkle should be afforded an opportunity to see a few more targets. And certainly, he will help improve the running game when he’s on the field. In the event that Reed gets hurt again, he will become the primary backup and ready or not, he will be thrown into the fire. With that potential for pressure on Sprinkle, there’s a good chance that he could improve in 2018.
Of the tight ends that will make the roster, Sprinkle might be the most interesting one. He’s still developing, but there’s a chance that he could become a solid backup. And at the very least, he will be a great option as a blocker.
Missing the cut
It seems extremely unlikely that the Redskins will keep more than three tight ends. Especially if they are considering keeping an H-back type player in Elijah Wellman (who falls under the RB/FB category, but he can play tight end). But still, there are some candidates to make it on special teams merit or sneak onto the practice squad.
Manasseh Garner probably has the best chance of making the roster. The former Pittsburgh product spent last season on the team’s practice squad and was activated for the last game of the season. He has the type of versatility that Paul provided for the team, and could play tight end, fullback, and some roles on special teams. So, he would have a chance at making the roster.
The two undrafted free agents that the Redskins brought in, Garrett Hudson and Matt Flanagan, are going to have an uphill battle to make the roster. Hudson doesn’t project to be a great NFL player, and it seems that he is just a late addition as a camp body.
Meanwhile, Flanagan has an excellent frame at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. He was a great run blocker in college, and that could give him a chance to stick on as a blocking tight end. However, with Sprinkle in the fold, he will have a tough time earning his way onto the roster. But getting a practice squad spot and receiving a promotion if Reed gets hurt could be something that happens with Flanagan.
Next: Ranking all 90 players on Redskins roster
It seems likely that the Redskins will carry just three tight ends with an extra on the practice squad or on an injury list. For now, the depth chart looks solid. But all it takes is another injury to throw that off balance.