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Top dark-horse tight ends that could make the Redskins roster

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Caleb Wilson #84 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown pass while being tackled by Dallin Leavitt #32 of the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. Raiders won 33-26. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Caleb Wilson #84 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown pass while being tackled by Dallin Leavitt #32 of the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. Raiders won 33-26. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 09: Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers lines up during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 09: Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers lines up during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Thaddeus Moss

Yes, I know that Thaddeus Moss has many fans and he has been included on several 53-man roster projections. And because of that, some may not consider him a true “dark horse.”

But still, he was an undrafted free agent. So, that qualifies him for this category.

Speaking of undrafted free agents, I’ll give the same spiel I gave in my dark horse receiver rankings about the UDFAs the Redskins signed. Because the team signed just four total undrafted players, by far the fewest of any NFL team, it’s important to pay attention to the guys that they did sign. Because clearly, Ron Rivera and Kyle Smith valued them enough to target them despite spending just a few resources on the undrafted free agent market.

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On paper, Moss is a tantalizing prospect. The son of Randy Moss caught 47 passes for 570 yards and four touchdowns as a member of the LSU Tigers. He helped the team to win a National Championship and some thought he could be a mid-round pick. However, he ended up falling to the ranks of the undrafted for a couple of reasons.

Notably, Moss was dealing with a foot injury that held him out of the NFL Combine. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he wasn’t able to do athletic tests or have follow-up exams on his injury. So, that scared some teams off. Others weren’t a fan of his 6-2, 250-pound frame and thought he was short for the tight end position which is an issue considering his questionable overall athleticism.

That said, Moss does have some positives to his game. Though he lacks height and length, he’s a willing blocker has enough strength to make an impact in that facet of the game. As a receiver, he’s not overly fast and isn’t a great route runner, but he settles into soft spots in zone coverage well and has good hands as well. So, if he can get a bit better at route-running and find a way to create separation, he should find a way to produce at the NFL level.

Moss is also versatile enough to play the fullback position as needed. Ideally, he could emerge as an H-back type for the Redskins and serve as an asset coming downhill in the running game. It will be interesting to see if the team gives him a chance to do that.

Moss was certainly a solid get for the Redskins and if he can show off his versatility, he could crack the depth chart as the team’s third or fourth tight end. But at the same time, Moss went undrafted in what was largely viewed as a weak tight end class. So expecting too much out of the rookie in a shortened offseason would be a mistake.

The Redskins will look for Moss to show growth this offseason. He’ll need time to develop but if he can make strides during the months leading up to the season, that will help him make a case for a roster spot.

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