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The 2023 NFL draft class had unprecedented depth at tight end. Quality players could be found throughout all seven rounds of the draft. Yet, the Washington Commanders did not choose one tight end.
That shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Remember how head coach Ron Rivera praised the group ahead of the draft? He believed Logan Thomas was finally fully healthy this offseason and loved the young players behind Thomas [John Bates, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner and Curtis Hodges].
Unfortunately, Rogers injured his Achilles on the first day of OTAs two weeks ago and was lost for the season.
Coaches and players were excited about Rogers, the former college quarterback, who flashed in limited opportunities as a rookie last season. However, he’s not the only second-year tight end with potential. Cole Turner, a fifth-round selection in 2022, had everyone talking last summer before a hamstring injury killed his momentum.
Early through the OTAs, Turner is turning heads again, leaving Washington optimistic about the tight end position in 2023.
With new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, tight end is an important position in his offense. In speaking to the press last week, Bieniemy acknowledged as much while also letting everyone know he liked the current group.
“You know what the tight end room is doing a heck of a job,” Bieniemy said. “Coach Todd Storm has done a hell of a job with those guys. I mean, Logan [Thomas], [John] Bates, Cole [Turner], Curtis [Hodges]. Those guys are doing a heck of a job. In fact, those guys have stood out for all the right reasons.”
While Bieniemy comes across as overly positive in his assessment of the room, he isn’t shy about getting after his players for not producing on the field. So if he says he’s happy with the current group, it’s worth noting.
“Obviously, in this offense, it’s always been a tight end-friendly offense,” Bieniemy said. “Those guys, they show up, they’re making plays, and the quarterbacks have been doing a great job of locating them in the passing game. So far, so good. Like I said, these guys are hardworking, got a lot of veterans in that group. I think from top down, the depth is pretty good, and I’m just proud of where we are at this particular point in time.”
Bieniemy is assuming full health, obviously. Losing Rogers was a difficult blow. Washington would have likely carried four tight ends if Rogers was healthy with him, Thomas, Bates and Turner as the four.
If Thomas can return to full health and Turner emerges as a solid threat, Bieniemy will be proven right in his assessment to remain patient at the position in the offseason.