Washington Redskins Player Paragraphs: Offensive skill players at OTAs

Tight End

Jordan Reed

Yup. Jordan Reed is still recovering. It seems almost routine for the veteran tight end: Rehabbing through every offseason that comes around. Despite this, however, Reed has shown that he doesn’t need a full offseason of work to be one of the NFL’s dominant tight ends. He just needs to stay healthy, and he’s a quarterback’s best friend. He hasn’t always been able to do that, but the 2018 offseason offers him another chance at getting back to one-hundred percent, and he’s taking it in stride. He spent the months of May and June healing, and he’ll use the next five weeks to do the same. Time will tell whether he’s ready to go by then, but Jay Gruden has said the Washington Redskins will be taking player recovery into account daily this year. These changes for the better could bode well for Reed’s bodily maintenance, and, by extension, his readiness in 2018.

Vernon Davis

With Reed injured, Vernon Davis routinely led the Washington Redskins’ tight ends throughout the first phase of offseason workouts, and he played well. Davis, for now, is a mirror image of Jordan Reed. While Reed’s short career has been marred by injury, Davis has boasted longevity throughout his elongated tenure. Set to turn 35 years old next January, Davis is fresh off his fifth season in which he eclipsed 600 yards, and his first since 2013. The veteran hasn’t skipped a beat in workouts. On several occasions, per Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com, Alex Smith found his former and current team mate in the end zone in play situation drills. The two are known to have a good rapport, and if Joradn Reed isn’t ready to start the season, fans should feel comfortable with Vernon Davis as the next man up.

Jeremy Sprinkle

You might’ve already assumed this, but with Vernon Davis sliding up into the No. 1 spot, in place of Jordan Reed, Jeremy Sprinkle has taken his spot as the No. 2 tight end. As a result, he’s taken plenty of quality starting reps. Sprinkle has spoken about his positive progress and the progress of the offense as a whole. According to Jake Meister of the Washington Redskins official website, Sprinkle said the following: “The way we’ve been communicating out there, with a new quarterback coming in, I feel like he hasn’t lost his stride. He’s learned the offense really well and is out there leading us. Everybody is together out here just having fun and just getting ready.”

If Jordan Reed’s recovery takes longer than anticipated, Sprinkle could be getting ready for a breakout season in an increased role. The Arkansas product has the traits to be an effective receiver, standing at 6-foot-5, 252, with a 4.69 40-yard dash time. He already boasted a certain prowess as a run blocker last year, and if he can complete his game in his second season, the Washington Redskins’ tight end position could be one of its deepest, most exciting units.

Manasseh Garner

An undrafted free agent from 2015, Manasseh Garner, 26, isn’t the young underdog story he once was. Other players below him have usurped that mantle, but for now, Garner is safely ahead of them on the depth chart, and if the Washington Redskins decide to keep four tight ends, Garner would be the last one to stay. He has been dealing with minor injuries throughout OTAs, but by the time training camp comes around, Garner should be one-hundred percent. When healthy, he possesses a player mold similar to Niles Paul. He’s versatile, with the ability to line up in the slot, at tight end, or in the backfield as a full back. He can also play special teams. For Garner, and most players, quality will define his worth in a roster spot. And so, for the rest of the offseason, Garner will be working to prove his play is of higher quality than the less experienced players behind him.

Matt Flanagan

The instant he was signed as an undrafted free agent, former Pittsburgh tight end Matt Flanagan was already the Washington Redskins’ largest player at the position. Standing at 6-foot-6, 260, Flanagan has the genetic half of the game going for him. He has some competition at the back of the depth chart in Garner and Hudson, but his size should serve him well, as both a receiver and a blocker. He received mostly third team reps, catching passes from Kevin Hogan. If he can work to further polish his game with Wes Phillips, he could soon move up the depth chart.

Garrett Hudson

A Richmond alumnus, Garrett Hudson has quite a bit of work to do if he is to join his hometown team for the upcoming season. Hudson was cut by two teams in need of help at tight end, the Lions and the Jets. That development alone is not promising. But Hudson has shown promise in his short time with the Washington Redskins. Per Redskins.com writer Grant Cohen, Hudson has quickly learned the offensive scheme, and his work has impressed a number of veterans, including fellow tight end Jeremy Sprinkle and wide receiver Paul Richardson. According to Cohen, Hudson was consistent in individual workouts, and he received spot reps with the first-team in OTAs, making the most of those opportunities. At 6-foot-4, 245, Hudson has the size to contribute as a well-rounded tight end. He just needs to keep coming to work with that same confidence, and he could find a way to hop on the practice squad, at the very least.

Next: Redskins position battles: Colt McCoy vs. Kevin Hogan

The offseason is far from over. Stay with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll have more player paragraphs on the team’s trench players and the defense shortly!