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Breaking down the Washington Football Team’s position battles: Tight End

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Logan Thomas #82 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Logan Thomas #82 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 15: Hale Hentges #88 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 15: Hale Hentges #88 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Dark Horse: Hale Hentges

It’s hard to pick a “dark horse” from this group. When Baugh’s buzz began, he would’ve been the top option here. But now, he’s looking more like a role player that could challenge for some playing time as a blocking tight end.

Thaddeus Moss would’ve once been the favorite here as well. But due to a foot injury, he no longer qualifies.

Among the options left on the roster, Hale Hentges represents the player that is both the least proven but has the most upside. So, he gets the nod as the de facto dark horse.

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Hentges is an undrafted rookie out of Alabama who made the Indianapolis Colts’ 53-man roster to start last season. However, he was waived early in the season and Washington snapped him up after losing JP Holtz on the waiver wire.

As a rookie, Hentges saw action in 11 games for Washington. He played in just under 25 percent of the snaps but showed off some nice production late in the season. Overall, he logged eight catches for 103 yards and a touchdown and ended up making four starts for the team.

Hentges showed off a well-rounded skill set. He was a good blocker and was better than expected as a receiver. He’s only 24 years old and could develop into a very good top backup and may even emerge as a solid starter on this Washington team given how weak they are at tight end.

There hasn’t been a lot of buzz coming out of camp about Hentges. But perhaps that’s just because he has already been around the team and is just producing how he was expected to.

There is a wide range of outcomes for Hentges in 2020. He still has a chance to battle for playing time and he well could pull ahead of Baugh for the top back job. That said, he also isn’t guaranteed to make the roster, depending on how the competition at the position goes. That’s what makes him a true dark-horse option.

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