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Redskins: 5 dark horse candidates to make the 53-man roster in 2019

By Jacob Camenker

WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: T.J. Rahming #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half of a football game at McLane Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: T.J. Rahming #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half of a football game at McLane Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 22: Matt Flanagan #81 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights gets tackled by Jonathan Celestin #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota defeated Rutgers 34-32. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 22: Matt Flanagan #81 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights gets tackled by Jonathan Celestin #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota defeated Rutgers 34-32. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

The Redskins don’t necessarily have a need at the tight end position, but Jordan Reed is injury prone and Vernon Davis is aging. They may soon have a youth movement at the position, and they have a few intriguing options on the roster.

One of them is Matt Flanagan. The undrafted free agent from 2018 has been on the team (whether it be the 90-man roster, practice squad, or 53-man roster) since after the 2018 NFL Draft. He has had praise heaped on him by Chris Cooley, and he could end up being a solid blocking tight end with receiving upside.

Flanagan wasn’t much of a receiver in college, and he only got one target in his rookie season. He did catch it and turned it into 14 yards. He played in just three games after injuries struck at tight end, but he may have done enough to showcase his strong blocking ability. If the Redskins decide they want a primary blocking tight end, Flanagan could get consideration.

Flanagan’s path to a roster spot may be a bit difficult, as the ‘Skins probably will only keep three tight ends. That said, if they decide that they want to move on from Davis’ salary (he has a cap hit of about $6.3 million) they could have an opening at the position. And Flanagan would be one of the players competing for that spot.

The other main competitor here would be JP Holtz, who emerge as a quality TE/H-back last year in the preseason. If Davis is cut, either Flanagan or Holtz could get consideration for that role. But, for now, Flanagan would have to be considered the clubhouse leader, as the team kept him on the practice squad early last season over Holtz. Still, there’s no guarantee the team will even need another tight end.

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