Ashburn, Va. — Back on April 22, 2013 WalterFootball.com projected that Redskins’ tight end Jordan Reed would be drafted in the third round of the NFL draft by Houston Texans. They predicted that he would go 95th overall. The site described the converted quarterback for the University of Florida as being an athletic route-running and receiving tight end with good speed, reliable hands and a quick release off the line that is too quick for linebackers in pass routes. The only weaknesses the site mentioned were that he was somewhat “raw” and undersized; and that he needed to improve his run blocking and add football-functional strength.
What actually happened in that 2013 draft is that Reed was drafted in the third round but he was drafted by Washington 85th overall as opposed to 95th. Since then the former Gator has become a superb route-running and receiving tight end. Forget about “reliable” hands… he has great hands. He is a disastrous matchup for linebackers and any other defensive positions trying to cover him. At 6’3”, he’s not that “undersized”… especially when compared to the smaller Redskins receivers, none of whom are taller than 6’0”.
Unfortunately, Reed has not been able to show the aforementioned attributes on the field much in 2014 because he injured a hamstring in Week One against the Houston Texans and has not played since. This has to be frustrating for Washington head coach Jay Gruden. The former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals is used to having a couple of marquis tight ends to work with, having had Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert to call plays for with great success.
Reed practiced before the Seattle Seahawks game last week but apparently had a setback and ended up not dressing for the game. He had limited practice again today so there’s hope that he may play against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday should he have no additional problems. Considering how well teammate and fellow tight end Niles Paul has been doing in Reed’s absence, it would open up a world of offensive play-calling for the coach were the two able to be on the field at the same time this weekend.
“It adds a lot”, Gruden said today when asked about having both of his pass-catching tight ends on the field on Sunday. “Anytime you add a pass catcher like Jordan Reed — you know, he also can do some blocking too in our zone running game and our three-wide receiver sets he can do some blocking. Jordan is a major part of our offense and what we wanted to do from training camp on, and when we lost him in the first quarter of the Houston game; it put a little hurting on us. So to get him back, if we do get him back, it is a great option for us because he can win against linebackers and safeties. Then to pair him with Niles, like you said, in two-tight end sets, if they stay in their base people, safety gets one of them and one of them gets paired up with a linebacker if they want to play them man-to-man. Two good matchups, then you throw DeSean [Jackson] and Pierre [Garçon] out there, it is a dream scenario. But then when you go three wide receivers and one tight end, you bring Andre [Roberts] in there, you have pretty good matchups across the board, it is just a matter of protection and having Kirk find him and guys working the pass concepts and getting open.”
Out of 30 times he’s been targeted in 2014, Paul has caught 22 balls for 319 yards, an average of 14.2 yards per catch and a touchdown. In Reed’s absence, the former wide out has done well and contributed to the team in a way many would be surprised with. But they should not be. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft, the former Cornhusker was a prolific and dependable — but not flashy — receiver in college. The following are just a few of his honors at the University of Nebraska: Second-Team All-Big 12 Wide Receiver (Coaches in 2010; Kansas City Star) his senior year, Offensive MVP for the 2009 Holiday Bowl and both Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week his sophomore year as well as Paul Hornung Most Versatile Player of the Week. He was Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 that same year and was a Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll in both 2008 and 2010.
Niles Paul quietly goes about his business and, when given an opportunity, shows up big.
Again, Reed hasn’t been on the field since Week One. Were he to take the field on Sunday however, his presence — along with Niles Paul’s — would give the Arizona Cardinals’ defense something to deal with that they have not seen on film this year. This could change everything for the Redskins and could possibly give Washingtan an advantage that could be the difference between and win and a loss.
The former would be all the better — especially because not many expect it.
Hail.