Yes, he's been at the position for a few years now, but tight end Niles Paul used the offseason to continue to bulk up. He's hoping it'll help improve his overall game, including blocking.

While Niles Paul had the hands and skill to remain one of the team's top receiving targets, the converted tight end was admittedly a little bit too small against the competition when he first made the move before the 2012 season.

Going up against linebackers and linemen that were 40 to 50 pounds heavier than him, Paul knew he'd need to bulk up in order to become a better player at the position.

"I know an area I wanted to improve on a lot was blocking. I was always a willing blocker, but I was 230 pounds going against guys who were 260, 270, 280," Paul told CSN Washington.com. "I just wanted to level out the playing field a little bit. And it has showed up on film out here [in OTAs]. I've been doing a good job."

Last season, Paul, who appeared in all 16 regular season games for the second time in his career, set personal highs in receptions (39) and receiving yards (507) along with a touchdown reception.

Through the first four games of the season, the Nebraska was one of the top players in the NFL in terms of receiving yards, recording 313 during that span.

But after re-signing with the Redskins before the start of free agency, Paul set out a plan to get his body to where he wanted it to be.

And with the help of the team's staff, he was able to get there.

"I got to give credit to strength and condition coach [Mike] Clark and executive chef Jon [Mathieson]," Paul said. "I've just been eating a lot of protein and working out. We're doing a lot of different lifts as compared to [former strength coach Ray Wright]. I loved Ray Wright. I loved his workouts. But we've got a different coach now who believes in different stuff. We're doing a lot of Olympic lifts."

As it stands now, Paul currently weighs more than 250 pounds for the first time in his career.

"I'm 252 right now," he told reporters. "I feel good, and I feel healthy. I'm happy."

With starter Jordan Reed out until the start of training camp after a minor knee procedure, Paul's been getting a bulk of the reps with the first team.

And it's not just because Reed is currently out.

"You know, he's a converted wide received for goodness sakes and he's busted his tail to get himself ready for the tight end spot," head coach Jay Gruden said of Paul. "He's stronger; he's one of our most explosive players in the weight room, done some great things."

RELATED LINKS:
-- Redskins, Niles Paul Reach New Contract
-- Niles Paul Helps Build Playground For Local School

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