Redskins.com caught up with Sports Illustrated NFL writer Don Banks to review the Redskins 2013 draft class. Today, hear his thoughts on tight end Jordan Reed.
The Redskins called an audible from conventional wisdom in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, selecting tight end Jordan Reed to bolster an area of strength.
Reed is a developmental tight end who entered Florida as a quarterback before moving to tight end as a sophomore.
With good size and great great natural ability, he adapted quickly to the position and finished his career with 1,273 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns.
"He was a guy that had a great ability to make people miss," head coach Mike Shanahan said after the pick. "When he has the ball in his hands, he can do things with the ball that are very athletic. That is something that a lot of tight ends can't do.
"We weren't necessarily looking for a tight end, but when he was there we couldn't pass him up."
Heading into the draft, most NFL experts predicted the Redskins would focus on defense with the first several picks, before addressing offensive line or receiver.
Very few, including Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, could have predicted a high draft pick for a tight end. But that's not to say he didn't approve of the move.
"I didn't think it was a huge reach or anything," Banks said in an exclusive interview with Redskins.com. "I thought he was a solid pick for where they got him."
Reed joins a tight end crew led by Fred Davis, who is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles that ended his 2012 season. Reed will also compete with Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul and DeAngelo Peterson for a roster spot.
If successful, he could provide a necessary insurance policy against Fred Davis's return.
"He's a guy that can make some plays and he's there in case things don't go great with Fred Davis in coming back," Banks reasoned.
When the Redskins selected Fred Davis out of USC in 2008, they envisioned a twin tight end set that would take advantage of Chris Cooley's dependability and Davis's athleticism.
In Davis and Reed, the Redskins may finally have two premium athletes to stretch the field from the tight end position.
"I think in this league, the more tight ends the better these days and you're not just looking for one guy who can be a matchup threat," Banks explained. "That's just the reality of the Patriots two tight end offense has done to this league in the last three years.
"You're looking for a couple guys, and at three, you're ahead of the curve."
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