Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins have decided to keep four tight ends on their roster for the 2013 NFL regular season. This moves comes as no surprise due to there only being five wide receivers on the depth chart. If any receiver goes down or becomes too fatigued to continue play, a receiving TE will be able to take his spot.
The Redskins tight ends could also find themselves lining up in the slot or as a receiver should the team elect to go five-wide.
With Mike Shanahan selecting rookie TE Jordan Reed in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft, it would seem like a waste if Reed was sent to the practice squad before being given a chance to prove himself.
Reed was a highly hyped high school recruit as a quarterback, but never played as a QB in college, being shifted to the TE spot. He finished his three-year collegiate career with 78 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns. Reed has great hand and ball skills, and will be a great addition as a receiving TE in Shanahan’s scheme.
Niles Paul, listed as the third-string TE, was drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft and immediately played as a special teams star and backup receiver. n 2012, he was moved to the TE position and finished with 152 yards on eight receptions with one touchdown. With only five wide receivers on the roster, Paul will also be a valuable asset on and off special teams.
Logan Paulsen, an all-around athlete that also received letters in track and soccer, is the backup tight end for 2013. In 2012, Paulsen became a fan favorite when elevated to the starting position. When catching passes from Robert Griffin III, their name is Robert Paulsen. Fight Club, anyone?
Finishing with 25 receptions for 308 yards and one touchdown, Paulsen was able to perform when it mattered, solidifying his spot on the team. Paulsen is clutch, and will continue to prove his worth in 2013.
Of course, Fred Davis will be the starting TE in 2013. At 6-foot-4 and a whopping 247 pounds, Davis is a huge target for Griffin and will hopefully return to his 2011 standards of 59 receptions for 796 yards with three touchdowns. That means Davis has to stay healthy and away from banned substances. If he wants to stay on the team, which he does, he will have to do so. Look to see Davis become a star TE in 2013.
There are very good reasons to keep all four tight ends for the 2013 season. The most probably is that the five receivers need some backups. Also, with defenses having to spotlight Griffin, the TEs could benefit from lax coverage. Expect a lot from the Redskins’ 2013 core of solid tight ends.
Thomas is a Sports Writer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmford88, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
