Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Top five tight ends for Redskins to target in 2020 free agency

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass while defended by free safety Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 39-10. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass while defended by free safety Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 39-10. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers. Hunter Henry. 2. player. 13. . Tight End

Hunter Henry well may be one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He’s an excellent pass catcher, a solid blocker, and he has really good hands that afford him the opportunity to catch every ball that comes his way.

However, Henry has had some pretty big injury issues that have derailed his career at points. He missed all of the 2018 season with a torn ACL and he has yet to play a full NFL season. He came close his rookie year, suiting up for 15 games and 10 starts, but in total, he has played in just 41 of a possible 64 regular-season games during his career.

In 2019, Henry missed four games with a tibial plateau fracture in his knee. He missed three games but still was able to log one of the best seasons of his career. He caught 55 passes for 652 yards and five touchdowns and teamed up with Austin Ekeler to give opposing teams nightmares covering the middle of the field.

More from Commanders Free Agency

Henry has the receiving skills needed to be a playmaker but also has the requisite size and skills needed to be a red-zone threat. As a rookie in 2016, he caught eight touchdown passes thanks to his excellent hands and his 6-foot-5 frame gives him a height advantage in jump-ball situations. Should he be able to stay healthy, he should only get better in this area.

For the Redskins, Henry, 25, would represent a huge upgrade over their current tight end corps. Henry could become the second-best target on the Redskins right away and would pair up with Steven Sims to create matchup issues for opposing teams, much like he did with Ekeler.

The concern for the ‘Skins is Henry’s injury history and that’s why he doesn’t top this list. He is a risk because of the spotty availability he has had at times, especially over the past two years. But his talent and youth could outweigh the risks and in a weak tight end draft class, it could be worth it to add Henry to the mix. It’s all a matter of what he commands on the open market. It seems likely that he would get $8 million a year unless his injury issues scare off some teams.

UPDATE: Henry has been slapped with the franchise tag by the Los Angeles Chargers. So, he’s out of play for the Redskins.

Home/Commanders Free Agency