Top dark-horse tight ends that could make the Redskins roster
Richard Rodgers
It feels weird to call a seventh-year player and former third-round pick a dark horse. But that’s exactly the point we’ve arrived at in Richard Rodgers‘ career as he looks to make an impact with the Redskins.
Once, Rodgers was viewed as a promising receiving-based tight end with the Green Bay Packers. In his second NFL season back in 2015, he caught 58 passes for 510 yards and eight touchdowns. Notably among those touchdown grabs was a Hail Mary reception from Aaron Rodgers in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions that ultimately gave the Packers a much-needed win.
But after that season, Rodgers struggled to find his footing. He was relegated to a backup role with the Packers for a couple of seasons before leaving the team for greener pastures in 2018. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in hopes of factoring into a tight end room that featured Zach Ertz as it’s top talent.
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Well, things didn’t go so well for Rodgers in Philly. He couldn’t stay healthy and appeared in just eight games throughout his two seasons with the squad. He caught just a single pass for seven yards during that time.
Rodgers is likely staring down his final chance to make an NFL roster again and prove that he can be productive. He’s only 28, so he may still have some solid years left in him… if he can stay healthy. The Redskins risked almost nothing by bringing him in on a one-year deal worth less than $1 million.
Though Rodgers has more experience at tight end than any other member of the Redskins roster, he isn’t a lock to make the team. And so far this offseason, few have projected him to make the squad. Fellow free-agent acquisition Logan Thomas has gotten more attention than Rodgers, but Rodgers is a bit younger than Thomas and has been more productive during his career. So, maybe Rodgers can surprise and earn his way onto the roster alongside Thomas.
It won’t be easy for Rodgers to make the team. He has to stay healthy and prove that he’s still a good mid-range receiving target. He’s known more for that than his blocking, so it’ll be all about proving that injuries haven’t sapped him of his athleticism.
Rodgers is probably firmly on the roster bubble and his upside is lower than some of the younger options on the team. But don’t count him out as he looks to restart what was once a promising career.