Tag: Ben Sinnott

Commanders rookie tight end confirms he’s a ‘Swiftie’

Ben Sinnott scored on the “Taylor Swift” play and confirms he’s a Swiftie.

It’s been quite the week for Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott. In Sunday’s 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers, Sinnott caught his first NFL pass — a touchdown.

On Thursday, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury met with the media and revealed Sinnott’s touchdown came on a play called “Taylor Swift.” Yes, you read that correctly.

“His first catch was a touchdown, and the play was called Taylor Swift,” Kingsbury said. “So, you can’t really beat that to start your NFL scoring career.”

Kingsbury also noted that the Commanders had some other plays named after pop stars, too.

Unfortunately for Sinnott, he also met with the media Thursday as the Commanders had an open locker room. As expected, “Taylor Swift” was a popular topic for the Kansas State rookie.

“I think the tight end is just a bunch of guys who like Taylor Swift, man,” Sinnott said with a smile. “So, it kind of just like a group consensus. It’s one I will never forget.”

Sinnott was then asked if he was one of those tight ends who is a Swift fan.

“Oh, for sure, yeah, my fiance is a huge Taylor Swift fan,” he said before being forced to name songs from the famous pop star.

Washington’s other tight ends denied being “Swifties.”

Sinnott said that when the play was called, he knew it was coming to him, as the Commanders had had the play ready for weeks and had been waiting to use it.

Sinnott and the Commanders are back home against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Commanders rookie’s first NFL TD came on a play called ‘Taylor Swift”

Commanders TE Ben SInnott’s first career TD came on the “Taylor Swift” play.

Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott had a quiet start to his NFL career. Sinnott did not have a catch through the first six games this season until he was finally targeted in last week’s 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers.

It just so happened that his first NFL catch was also a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury provided more information on Sinnott’s first career catch on Thursday.

“His first catch was a touchdown, and the play was called ‘Taylor Swift,’ so you can’t really beat that to start your NFL scoring career,” Kingsbury said on Thursday.

The fun didn’t stop there, though, as Kingsbury revealed the Commanders have other plays named after pop stars.

The Commanders also have a play named “Kelce,” but not after Travis Kelce. It’s simply called Kelce, with Kingsbury letting everyone know the plays aren’t “married together.”

As for Sinnott, the second-round pick from Kansas State has played in all seven games for the Commanders, appearing on 32% of Washington’s offensive snaps. Sinnott has been lauded for his blocking, but Kingsbury hinted that he could be much more involved in the passing game going forward.

Commanders TE Ben Sinnott’s first touchdown will be the first of many

Ben Sinnott scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday. Get used to it.

In the Washington Commanders’ 40-7 rout of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, rookie tight end Ben Sinnott caught his first NFL pass — a touchdown.

Sinnott played 30% of the offensive snaps entering Sunday’s game but was featured as more of a blocker in Washington’s top-five running game. Sinnott’s time was coming, but regardless of his impact on the stat sheet, he was making a significant impact on the offense.

Sinnott has served as Washington’s No. 2 or No. 3 tight end behind Zach Ertz and, sometimes, John Bates. The longtime veteran Ertz is the unquestioned starter, while Bates is one of the NFL’s top blocking tight ends.

The Commanders entered the offseason with a plan for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Regardless of the outside noise, they didn’t deviate from that plan, and Daniels is already one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks.

While it wasn’t discussed much, the Commanders also had a plan for Sinnott. The plan was for Ertz to play while also mentoring younger players, such as Daniels and Sinnott. Washington players and coaches have praised Ertz for his leadership. However, the plan for Sinnott was to slowly incorporate him into the offense. While Ertz remains Washington’s starting tight end, Daniels now has another weapon defenses must account for weekly.

“It’s pretty cool to have your first NFL catch be a touchdown,” Sinnott said after the game.

Sinnott will likely score many more touchdowns. Ertz is on a one-year deal that could be extended if he remains healthy. Regardless, Sinnott is a significant part of Washington’s future.

Jim Nagy, executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl and a former NFL scout, sees big things in Sinnott’s future.

Everything the Commanders are doing is working for the first time in a long time. It is, indeed, a new day in Washington.

Fantasy football outlook: Washington Commanders tight ends

Will youth upside or veteran steadiness win out in Washington?

There’s an NFL adage that a tight end is a young quarterback’s best friend. They can serve not only as a protector in blocking but run shorter routes and settle in soft spots in zones to create an easy receiving target.

The Washington Commanders are starting a new era with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and made a pair of tight end moves to give him a position upgrade, signing free agent Zach Ertz and drafting Ben Sinnott in the second round.

Commanders rookie TE Ben Sinnott a finalist for ‘Angry Runs’

Ben Sinnott’s catch-and-run earned him some national attention.

Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott had been quiet through the first two weeks of training camp. In daily reports, Sinnott’s name was rarely mentioned. That didn’t mean he wasn’t having a good camp, but other players were standing out more.

That changed on Saturday in Washington’s preseason opener against the New York Jets. Sinnott caught three passes for 57 yards, which led the Commanders, but it was his 44-yard reception that had social media excited for his potential.

Sinnott caught the Jeff Driskel pass across the middle of the field, ran over one Jets defender, and carried others for another 25 yards.

On Monday’s edition of “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network, Kyle Brandt named Sinnott one of his three nominees for “Angry Runs.”

“Angry Runs” is a popular weekly feature usually reserved for the regular season, where Brandt and his hosts pick a winner and give them a scepter. In addition, the weekly winner gets his own “Angry Runs” t-shirt through Homage.

Here’s Brandt discussing Sinnott:

It has to be Sinnott, right?

Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. has been a finalist for “Angry Runs” several times but has failed to win the scepter. Maybe Sinnott can correct some of those wrongs by taking home the hardware.

Fantasy football: Commanders TE Ben Sinnott a sleeper in 2024

Could Commanders rookie TE Ben Sinnott be a fantasy sleeper in 2024?

Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott has been quiet during his first training camp. Please don’t mistake that, for he’s had a bad training camp. He hasn’t. Through the first two weeks, veteran starter Zach Ertz has handled the majority of snaps as Sinnott gets acclimated to the NFL game.

In fantasy football terms, if you’re looking for tight end help from the Commanders, Ertz is probably your guy. The 33-year-old looks rejuvenated after reuniting with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Tight end production isn’t always easy to find in the NFL. Not every team has a tight end who puts up big numbers. So, if you’re playing a league that starts two tight ends, you could be searching high and low for some sneaky production.

Enter Sinnott.

The Commanders spent the No. 53 overall pick on the former Kansas State star. Sinnott was KSU’s best player, and he’s big, athletic and versatile. One of the reasons why Washington liked Sinnott was because he was a willing blocker, but it could move him across the formation. So, if Ertz is the only tight end on the field, Sinnott could play some fullback or H-Back.

Sinnott will see the field in 2024, and that playing time could increase throughout the season.

NFL.com recently looked at 10 fantasy sleepers at tight end, and Sinnott came in at No. 10.

Projected draft position: Round 17 (TE23)

A second rookie tight end? Have I lost my mind? Maybe, but see my comment about rookies in the Brock Bowers section and then take a gander at Ben Sinnott’s profile. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound athlete out of Kansas State exceeded draft expectations with his Round 2 selection, after turning in a stellar performance at the NFL combine that included a 40-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump and a 6.82-second 3-cone drill.

General manager Adam Peters compared Sinnott to two 49ers: All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk and All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Peters was in San Francisco when the 49ers acquired both players.

Keep in mind that Ertz will be 34 in November. He’s dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, so if he can’t make it through the season healthy, Sinnott becomes even more valuable.

Fantasy football: Commanders TE Zach Ertz named one of 2024’s top sleepers

Zach Ertz could be a fantasy bargain in 2024.

If you play fantasy football and need a tight end, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz may be your guy.

Before you say, “Ertz is almost 34 and coming off a couple of injury-plagued seasons,” understand that he’s atop Washington’s depth chart that is expected to heavily feature the tight end in 2024.

Ertz is healthy and has looked terrific early in training camp. He also looks comfortable in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, an offense he has plenty of experience with. There’s also the quarterback. Ertz and rookie Jayden Daniels already appear to have developed a rapport.

So, where should fantasy owners look to draft Ertz?

Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus named 10 fantasy sleepers for 2024, and he included Ertz. His projected ADP is in the 21st round, making him a potential bargain for a No. 1 tight end.

Ertz was once among the best fantasy tight ends. From 2015 to 2019, he consistently gained at least 70 receptions and 800 receiving yards. After a down 2020, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2021 season and then finished as a top-12 fantasy tight end in fantasy points per game in both 2021 and 2022.

Ertz played seven games in 2023 but suffered a quad strain and didn’t return to action. He was also starting to get phased out by the budding Trey McBride. Ertz has since signed with the Washington Commanders, reuniting him with Kliff Kingsbury, who was his head coach with the Cardinals and is now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator.

A lot is working against Ertz, considering that he’s 33 years old, his recent injury history and the fact that Washington drafted a potential replacement in Ben Sinnott in the second round. It’s hard to imagine anyone with this low of an ADP being a top-six fantasy tight end, but there is a path for Ertz to get there. He just needs to stay healthy, hold off Sinnott and Father Time for a season and play as well as he did the last time Kingsbury was calling plays for him.

There are risks with Ertz. Washington does have Ben Sinnott, who has a high ceiling but has also been quiet in training camp. Cole Turner and Armani Rogers, both entering their third season, have impressed, but neither will challenge Ertz for playing time.

So, while there are risks, how risky is it to spend a late flier on a starting NFL tight end with a history of success?

WATCH: Commanders TE Cole Turner makes acrobatic catch in practice

Cole Turner is battling for a spot on the 53 and plays like this will help his chances.

Washington Commanders tight end Cole Turner is in his third NFL training camp this summer. As a rookie fifth-round pick in 2022, Turner jumped out to a fast start in his first training camp, but an injury ruined things.

Turner returned, but it was too late to make an impact during his rookie season. He appeared in 10 games and caught two passes for 23 yards. A concussion cost Turner more time that season. Turner played in 12 games last season, catching 11 passes for 120 yards.

This offseason, new Washington general manager Adam Peters set out to rebuild the tight end position. The Commanders released Logan Thomas and signed Zach Ertz. Then, Peters would use a second-round pick on Ben Sinnott.

This offseason is now or never for Turner in Washington. One week into training camp, he appears up to the task. During Thursday’s practice, check out this catch Turner made on a throw from quarterback Marcus Mariota.

These are the types of plays Washington has been wanting from Turner. He is competing with Ertz, Sinnott, John Bates, Armani Rogers and undrafted rookie Colson Yankoff for three or four spots. Ertz, Sinnott and Bates are safe. Turner is likely battling fellow third-year tight end Armani Rogers for a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.

Turner needs a strong camp to make the team, but if he continues to show his athleticism and playmaking ability, he’ll land somewhere.

WATCH: Commanders TE Zach Ertz makes one-handed catch in training camp

Zach Ertz with a one-handed grab in practice.

The Washington Commanders signed tight end Zach Ertz in the offseason, expecting him to start in 2024. Some questioned whether that was a smart decision for the rebuilding Commanders. Ertz, who will turn 34 in November, has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons.

Washington believed in Ertz, specifically offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Ertz with the Arizona Cardinals. The Commanders believed that not only did Ertz have plenty to give on the field, but he could also serve as a mentor to whichever quarterback they chose in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Commanders chose Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick and he and Ertz quickly formed a connection throughout the spring. That connection continues to grow, with Ertz making a terrific one-handed catch during Day 2 of training camp, courtesy of Mitch Tischler of Monumental Sports.

It’s early, but if Ertz can stay healthy, he and rookie Ben Sinnott could form a nice 1-2 punch at tight end for the Commanders in 2024.

Where do the Commanders rank among NFL teams in under-25 talent?

The Commanders’ ranking is bolstered by its rookie class.

The Washington Commanders had a busy offseason overhauling a roster that went 4-13 last season. The good news is Washington had plenty of cap space and nine picks in the 2024 NFL draft to flip a roster that former head coach Ron Rivera believed was really good.

The most significant new addition is quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner was selected No. 2 overall and has impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic since arriving in May.

Six of Washington’s nine selections came in the draft’s first three rounds. Five rookies have a clear path to significant playing time in 2024.

Can the rookie class enjoy immediate success like the Houston Texans one year ago? The biggest similarity between Houston and Washington is under center. C.J. Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in 2023 and became one of the NFL’s top young passers as a rookie.

ESPN recently ranked every NFL team in terms of under-25 talent. Washington ranked 18th, and the Commanders ranked 15th last season.

Blue-chip players: QB Jayden Daniels

Notable graduated players: RB Brian Robinson Jr., G Samuel Cosmi, LB Jamin Davis

Washington is boosted significantly by this year’s draft, and that starts with the No. 2 overall pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Daniels (23) at quarterback. The Commanders also had three second-round picks this year. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and tight end Ben Sinnott are both 22, while nickelback Mike Sainristil is 23.

As for players who were in Washington last year, wide receiver Jahan Dotson is 24, although his reputation is better than his performance in the ESPN receiver tracking metrics, where he finished near the bottom of the league. Another young player who struggled in advanced metrics is cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Last year’s first-round pick was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league, with only 38 tackles and one interception. However, he’s just 23, and many top corners take two or three years to develop.

That’s certainly an encouraging perspective on Forbes.

If the Commanders’ rookie class and some of their second-year players like Forbes and Quan Martin can emerge as starters, Washington will be much higher on this list one year from now.

Were you wondering where the NFC East teams ranked in terms of under-25 talent? We’ve got you covered:

  • New York Giants: 13th
  • Dallas Cowboys: 21st
  • Philadelphia Eagles: 29th