Redskins: J.P. Holtz could be a roster dark horse/practice squader for 2018

J.P. Holtz signed with the Washington Redskins well into the 2018 preseason. Still, the tight end might have a better chance to make the roster or practice squad than initially anticipated.

When the Redskins added J.P. Holtz to their roster, there was little reason for excitement. The former Pittsburgh product had spent the first two years of his career as a member of the Cleveland Browns practice squad but spent the latter half of the 2017 season out of football. At best, he was considered to be a camp body, but he has shown a bit more than that so far.

In one preseason game, Holtz showed potential as a blocking tight end and fullback hybrid. The Redskins don’t have a viable fullback option on their roster, and they haven’t in years. For the past couple of seasons, Niles Paul had occupied the role as a TE/FB hybrid, but he is now in Jacksonville. Now, the Redskins don’t have a real option on the roster, and they may use Jeremy Sprinkle or Rob Kelley in that role.

That said, if the team was willing to keep four tight ends, Holtz could be kept as a blocking tight end and fullback. He had an excellent block on Samaje Perine‘s 30-yard run from the second preseason game which you can see here, so he flashed potential. Holtz wouldn’t see a lot of action, but given what he showed in limited action last week, there certainly is the potential for him to find a role with this Redskins squad.

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For those wondering about whether or not the Redskins would keep four tight ends, the answer is probably not. They have three very good tight ends and don’t need a ton of depth at the position. Even though they have carried four in recent years, they simply don’t have to do that this year.

That said, they would probably love to stash Holtz on the practice squad and in the event that Jordan Reed struggles with injuries again, Holtz could be called up to serve in a versatile blocking role. So, that would be an ideal fit for him with this organization.

To get on the practice squad, Holtz would first have to beat out a couple of other young tight end prospects in Matt Flanagan and Garrett Hudson. Neither of those players has been particularly impressive during the preseason, so Holtz could easily overtake them if he continues to look like a solid blocker.

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Holtz deserves to be watched in the final couple of preseason games and he is a potential roster dark horse. It’s still highly unlikely that he will make the squad, but he could end up being a piece of organizational depth during the season.

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