It took longer than most Washington Commanders fans thought, but general manager Adam Peters finally found some more firepower for quarterback Jayden Daniels in the passing game. And it received a largely positive response among the fan base.
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, which was later confirmed by other insiders, the Commanders have agreed to terms with tight end Chig Okonkwo on a three-year deal. This fills a desperate need with a young, dynamic force capable of flourishing within new offensive coordinator David Blough's schematic concepts.
This move should help enormously. However, one Tennessee Titans expert offered a cautionary tale about Okonkwo.
Commanders don't need Chig Okonkwo to be a blocker, they need him to catch passes
Justin Melo of Titan Sized highlighted Okonkwo's ability as a pass-catcher, citing his size and athleticism as something capable of creating mismatches. Even so, he's undersized to be a productive blocker, which the analyst thought might impact his potential to be a genuine three-down weapon.
"Chig Okonkwo is a pass-catching tight end who creates mismatches against safeties and linebackers. He has been a consistent threat in the passing game throughout the course of his four-year rookie contract. Okonkwo is undersized to play as an in-line blocker and has consistently graded out as one of the worst blockers at the position, according to Pro Football Focus. He'll be a weapon wherever he signs, but isn't a true three-down type who's an asset in the running game."
This is a fair assessment. But it's also worth remembering that the Commanders already have one of the league's best in-line blockers — John Bates — to do all the dirty work. This should free Okonkwo up enough to do what he does best: make things happen across the middle, make contested catches, and make things easier for his quarterback.
Ben Sinnott also looks more useful as a blocker than as a pass-catcher, which is another factor that could determine how Blough deploys Okonkwo. Melo is right about the player's blocking, but the Commanders don't simply need him for that.
They brought him in as a security blanket for Daniels, which is something he looks more than capable of providing. The former Maryland star has the versatility to move around the line of scrimmage with minimal fuss. He's also got some use in motion, giving the Commanders' tight end room a dynamic they didn't necessarily have when veteran Pro Bowler Zach Ertz held TE responsibilities.
This could be a shrewd investment. And for Okonkwo, it's his chance to enter a completely new level.