Redskins reported interest in Delanie Walker makes sense
Delanie Walker is one of the most productive veteran tight ends available on the open market. And the Redskins are reportedly among the teams interested in him.
There’s no question that the Washington Redskins need help at the tight end position. Jordan Reed didn’t play last year after suffering a concussion and was cut after an injury-prone career in Washington. Meanwhile, Vernon Davis retired from the Redskins after also struggling to stay healthy in 2019.
Without those two, the Redskins tight end depth chart is currently headlined by Jeremy Sprinkle and Hale Hentges. Both players have flashed upside, but they appear to be backup options at the very best.
As a result, the Redskins should be searching for an upgrade at the tight end position. After all, giving Dwayne Haskins a middle of the field target could really improve the squad’s offense. So, it should come as no surprise that the Redskins are interested in one of the more productive tight ends on the open market.
According to ESPN’s John Keim, the Redskins are among the teams interested in former Tennessee Titans tight end, Delanie Walker.
The Redskins have expressed interest in TE Delanie Walker. So, too, have the Colts and the Packers, per source. Not sure anything happens fast, but those are the teams who have expressed some level of interest.
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 18, 2020
Walker, 35, has been in the NFL since being a sixth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2006 NFL Draft. After spending the first seven years of his career as a primary backup, he joined the Titans and became one of the league’s best all-around players at the position.
Walker was a middle of the field threat and a reception machine for the litany of quarterbacks the Titans trotted out over the years. From 2014 to 2017, he saw at least 102 targets and totaled at least 800 receiving yards every season. He was a consistent pass catcher and an excellent blocker for the team and made three straight Pro Bowls as a result of his all-around ability.
In the past two seasons, however, Walker has been unable to stay healthy for the Titans. He played in just eight total games and while he was productive in 2019, it’s fair to wonder if he will be able to continue to stay healthy for the team he suits up for in 2020.
However, Walker is still one of the better players available at the tight end position on the open market. Both Eric Ebron and Jacob Hollister are better, young options than him, but if Walker comes at a discount, he could be a nice stopgap option for the Redskins, who are starved for tight end talent.
In an ideal world, the Redskins could target one of Ebron and Hollister and still have a chance to land Walker as inexpensive veteran depth. Or, they could sign Walker cheaply and then address tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft. The tight end draft class is very weak, so that may be hard to do, but perhaps Walker could mentor the young option and help him to improve.
No matter what, the Redskins interest in Walker makes sense. He’s not a long-term option for the squad, but on a one-year deal, he could provide the team with veteran leadership and a consistent option at tight end, if he can stay healthy. That said, it seems probable that Walker would be more likely to sign with a contender like the Packers or Colts, two teams that Keim mentioned, so the Redskins may not have a chance to land him.
Next. Redskins interested in Desmond Trufant. dark
That may not be a bad thing, as it could force the Redskins to look for a younger upgrade on the free-agent market. But either way, the ‘Skins’ potential interest in Walker is worth watching.