Washington Redskins: 15 best draft day steals of all-time

Drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Florida Gators product Jordan Reed had a tough draw, in terms of immediate NFL expectations. Just a year earlier, the Redskins had seen the fall of a star in Chris Cooley, who slowly faded out of relevance.

In 2013, Cooley was gone from the roster for good, and the Redskins needed a new tight end to take his place as a dynamic offensive weapon. Drafted in the third round, Reed was viewed as a somewhat developmental prospect. But the void was his to fill.

And in time, Reed exceeded his lofty expectations. It took two years, and the anointing and development of a true starting quarterback, but once Kirk Cousins caught fire, Reed caught fire with him.

In 2015, Reed was at his peak as an unstoppable force over the middle of the field. Too quick for linebackers and too big for defensive backs, Reed established himself as an elite offensive talent, logging 952 yards and 11 touchdowns on 87 catches.

The next year, in Cousins’ near-5,000 yard campaign, Reed amassed 686 yards and six touchdowns on 66 receptions. Reed earned a Pro Bowl berth in the second campaign, cementing his status for good.

Since that 2016 season, injuries have further plagued Reed into obscurity, but the former third-round pick remains one of the Redskins’ best value deals on draft day, for the returns he provided early on in his career.

After an up-and-down 2018 season, it’s unclear what the future holds for Reed. But if he can get healthy, and stay healthy, he still has the skill set to terrorize opposing offenses.