Grading every Commanders pick from the 2024 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Commanders drafted Ben Sinnott
- Tight End | Kansas State Wildcats
- No. 53 overall
It's been all change in the Washington Commanders tight end room this offseason. Logan Thomas became a salary-cap casualty as expected, which saved the franchise a little more than $6 million to better spend elsewhere during Adam Peters' substantial rebuild.
Kliff Kingsbury called someone he knows well, bringing in Zach Ertz on a one-year deal. The pair developed a strong working relationship during their time together with the Arizona Cardinals. Although he could provide an assured pair of hands, he's not played much football of late and isn't getting any younger.
This led to speculation that the Commanders could identify a talented tight end from the college ranks. Nobody knew for sure what the new regime thought of Cole Turner and Armani Rogers, but we got our answer when Washington took Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State at No. 53 overall.
Sinnott was a fast riser up draft boards throughout the assessment process after a sensational showcase of athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine made everyone sit up and take notice. Upon further examination of the prospect's game production with the Wildcats, it seemed as if he could be the latest relatively unheralded tight end who could potentially take the league by storm.
He's got outstanding ball skills, displaying the ability to catch in traffic with minimal fuss and boasting the elusiveness to become a surprising threat after the catch. Sinnott's route-running is developing all the time. The same can be said for his red-zone efficiency thanks to progressing body control and angle manipulation.
Draft Grade: A
It looks for all the smart money as if the Commanders have solved an ongoing complication with this pick if Sinnott maintains his upward trajectory in the pros. Ertz should be on hand to provide the rookie with everything needed for a smooth transition before he takes over the reins. But don't be surprised if this happens relatively early in the campaign.