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Three tight ends for the Redskins to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine

By Jacob Camenker

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Bryant #TE04 of the Washington Huskies speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Hunter Bryant
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Bryant #TE04 of the Washington Huskies speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Hunter Bryant /
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CORVALLIS, OREGON – NOVEMBER 08: Hunter Bryant #1 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Oregon State Beavers in the second quarter during their game at Reser Stadium on November 08, 2019 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON – NOVEMBER 08: Hunter Bryant #1 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Oregon State Beavers in the second quarter during their game at Reser Stadium on November 08, 2019 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Tight End. Huskies . Hunter Bryant. 3. player. 818.

If the Redskins are looking to find a potent receiving threat at the tight end position, then Hunter Bryant should be their man. The Washington product is one of the best receivers in this draft class and is coming off a very productive season.

During his final year with the Huskies, Bryant was able to total 52 catches, 825 yards, and three touchdowns. All were career highs. He meshed well with Jacob Eason and was able to make plays down the field. He averaged 16.4 yards per catch in college, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him emerge as a big-play threat at the NFL level.

As a receiver, Bryant can do a little bit of everything. He’s a solid route runner and is especially good at separating from opponents on drag routes and creating yards after the catch off those opportunities.

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His athletic ability is certainly good. He has enough speed to be a threatening playmaker, but his impressive burst comes with the ball in his hands. His elusiveness is good and once he catches the ball, he does well to find open space and get through there to generate YAC yards. That explains why his yards per catch average is so high.

There are some limitations with Bryant. He is on the smaller size at 6-foot-2 (though his 248-pound weigh-in is strong) and he doesn’t figure to be a big-time blocker at the next level. Some bigger, longer players may be able to outperform him physically, and that could bog him down.

Still, Bryant has good ball skills and should be able to beat enough linebackers with his combination of speed, elusiveness, and route-running ability, so that could make him a threat at the next level. NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein actually compared him to Jordan Reed, and that seems like an encouraging pro comparison for him.

For the Redskins, Bryant would be a receiving upgrade without a doubt and at the very least, he would find a role as a rotational and versatile receiving tight end option. And if they believe that he can add some strength at the next level and become an adequate blocker, perhaps they’ll trust him in the draft.

Bryant’s performance in the strength and blocking-based drills will be of the utmost importance to his draft stock. And rest assured, the Redskins will be watching that.

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