Washington Football Team: An early look at the 2021 tight ends
By Jonathan Eig
Washington’s current TE group
Out of the eight tight ends on the roster, Logan Thomas is clearly the alpha.
Some had high hopes for Thomas when he was signed as a free agent before the 2020 season. I’m embarrassed to say that I was not one of them. I thought Thomas could be a serviceable player, but little more. His high-end athleticism was never in doubt. And his football IQ was evident. But I assumed that his transition from college quarterback to professional tight end had topped out by the time he turned 28. His lack of separation speed convinced me that he could be a decent player, but not a truly dangerous component of a good offense.
I was wrong. Whether he needed a little more experience, or just needed the right scheme, Thomas emerged as a force in 2020. I still don’t believe he has the speed to be truly elite, but he proved that he is clearly above-average. He can make big catches in tight spaces. He is a decent blocker. The former quarterback can even run the occasional gadget play.
Bottom line, the Washington Football Team has its number one tight end.
The question now is whether they have enough behind him.
The other seven players – Marcus Baugh, Temarrick Hemingway, Dylan Cantrell, Tyrone Swoopes, Sammis Reyes, Deon Yelder, and the recently-drafted John Bates – form a fascinating group. None have significant NFL experience. Yelder, just signed as a free agent, has the most, having played in 26 games for Kansas City over the last three years. Baugh has the most experience for the Washington Football Team, having been on the field for all of 79 plays in 2020. Hemingway is the oldest at just 27. Several have impressive physical gifts.
Can any of them fill out the tight end room behind Thomas?