For any young quarterback, arguably the biggest asset that you can have to help him on offense is a reliable tight end that is able to get him out of a jam over the middle. If there’s anything that Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins didn’t have in his rookie season, it was a reliable tight end.
Jordan Reed was lost for the season after suffering his seventh documented concussion, and Vernon Davis also missed a lot of time due to injury. That left Haskins to rely on Jeremy Sprinkle and Hale Hentges; hardly anything to write home about for a rookie passer.
So, going into Haskins’ second year in the NFL, what’s one roster move that the Redskins could make that would greatly bolster their offense’s potential? Sign a high-profile tight end in free agency, and give their young QB a safety valve over the middle.
But who would they sign? Here are a few names to look out for.
Hunter Henry | Los Angeles Chargers | 25
Henry has been a great player for the Chargers over the last several years after he was drafted in the second round in 2016. Taking over for an aging Antonio Gates, Henry burst onto the scene with eight touchdowns in his rookie season, and he had 652 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games this season.
With 17 career touchdowns, Henry has proven that he can be a dynamic threat over the middle and down the seam, though he does have a bit of an injury history that could be cause for some concern for Washington fans. However, that injury risk could help knock down his price a bit on the open market this year, and when healthy, Henry has shown that he can be an absolute difference-maker.
Austin Hooper | Atlanta Falcons | 25
Hooper has been highly productive as of late, with six touchdowns and 787 yards in 15 games with the Falcons this season. On top of that, Hooper has publically said that he is yet to receive a contract offer from Atlanta this season, which means that he could very well be available on the market. That won’t come at a cheap price though, as the top TE’s in the league are signing for roughly $9-10 million per year.
For the added dimension that Hooper could bring to the Redskins’ offense, though, that number is extremely worth it. Hooper has a large body that makes him a solid blocker in both the run and pass game and his ability to go up and get the ball makes him a dynamic threat in the red zone.
Eric Ebron | Indianapolis Colts | 26
Ebron is a difficult player to scout, as he’s shown both an incredible ability to make plays in high-pressure situations, but also a distinct knack for disappearing down the stretch. With a very up-and-down career since being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2014, Ebron had one of the worst seasons of his career this year with the Colts, hauling in only one touchdown and 248 yards in 13 games this year. However, he put on a show in 2018, when he had 66 catches for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Colts have already said that they don’t plan on bringing Ebron back into the mix next season, so he will definitely be available on the open market this season, and his recent down year will cheapen his price tag. For whatever team is willing to take the risk, Ebron will be available.
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