Did the Washington Football Team just find the next Antonio Gates?

The Washington Football Team made a signing on Tuesday morning. They decided to take a chance on a former basketball player to join their team.

That player is Sammis Reyes. The Chilean forward played a couple of years for the Tulane Green Wave in the American Athletic Conference and averaged 3.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.9 blocks per 40 minutes played for the team. Unfortunately, Reyes only averaged 7.9 minutes per game during his career.

With his basketball career all but over, Reyes, who is 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, and possesses excellent athletic ability, decided to give football a shot. And the Washington Football Team elected to give him a chance to prove himself.

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Washington Football Team signing Sammis Reyes is smart

This signing is a great one for the Washington Football Team. They’re getting a big-time athlete with great size at virtually no cost to the team. He’ll likely sign for the minimum, so the 25-year-old will have a chance to fight for a roster spot.

Reyes was initially auditioning for a role in the NFL’s International Pathway Program. Washington had a defensive lineman from that program, David Bada, join the team last year with a roster exemption, but Reyes signed with Washington outright. That means that the team is intrigued by his athletic potential and saw enough to warrant adding him.

Generally speaking, Washington seems to like athletes that converted to the tight end position. Logan Thomas, their top option there last year, was drafted as a quarterback before breaking out in Washington. Another depth player on the roster, Tyrone Swoopes, played quarterback at Texas.

Now, Reyes will join the fray and will hope to become the next basketball player to make an impact as a starting tight end.

Will Reyes be the next Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, or Tony Gonzalez? All three names were invoked in Washington’s press release about Reyes’ signing, but even if he doesn’t become a star, Reyes could find a role to play.

Look at what former VCU player Mo Alie-Cox did for the Colts last year. He was, at times, the best all-around tight end on the roster and thrived as a blocker. He became a role player after signing for nothing.

That should be Washington’s realistic goal with Reyes. He may need time to develop considering that he has barely played football, but signing him is a chance worth taking. It’s all upside, no downside. If he can’t make the roster or practice squad, Washington can move on with no consequence.

But if Reyes shows enough to earn a role with the team… look out.