Redskins: 1 free agent to avoid at every position in 2019 offseason

Tight End: Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

When healthy, Eifert is one of the most effective tight ends in the league. He can be a matchup nightmare and a red zone threat, but his durability is a major concern.

Does that sound familiar? Because it should.

Eifert is essentially a different version of Jordan Reed. While Reed uses his athletic ability to win in matchups, Eifert uses his size and jump-ball ability to be a prolific red zone threat. However, as is the case with Reed, Eifert has had too hard of a time staying healthy to be trusted.

Washington Commanders

In the past three years, Eifert has played a total of 14 games for the Bengals. In the past two years, he has just 19 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown. His most productive season came in 2015, when he had 13 touchdowns in 13 games and made the Pro Bowl. With that now four years in the rearview mirror, it’s hard to expect him to ever reach that level again.

Eifert needs to go to a team that can afford to take a flier on a tight end. The Redskins really can’t. With the spotty health of Reed, the team is better served targeting a young tight end in the draft to serve as a backup. If they go after Eifert and both he and Reed get hurt, their depth at the position would be virtually non-existent. For that reason, targeting Eifert would be an extremely risky move.

Realistically, the Redskins should avoid the tight end market in free agency anyway. The 2019 NFL Draft has depth at the position, so they may be able to land a future starter and potential successor for Reed. Either way, Eifert, shouldn’t be in their plans.