Pay the Maxx! Commanders Need to Sign New Tight End?
There are names. There just hasn't been production. Indeed, maybe no Washington Commanders position group last year underperformed more than their tight ends. Is there a way to change that?
As a unit, Logan Thomas, John Bates, Armani Rogers and Cole Turner combined for 60 catches, 518 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Thomas led the group with 39 catches for 323 yards and one touchdown.
Of all the tight ends in the league, 13 had more receiving yards, and 28 had more touchdowns than Washington combined.
While there are likely no players available in free agency that will immediately become the Commanders' No. 1 option at tight end, Pro Football Focus proposed that they signed Maxx Williams before training camp begins.
Williams has played four seasons for the Baltimore Ravens (2015-2018) and four for the Arizona Cardinals (2019-2022).
"There are a few young tight ends behind Logan Thomas who the Commanders are optimistic about, notably 2021 fourth-round pick John Bates — a stout run blocker — but adding another depth piece in Maxx Williams couldn’t hurt now that he’s recovered from an unfortunate ACL tear sustained at the worst possible time in 2021," PFF writes.
Williams' torn ACL was more severe than most and led to nerve damage, making his return in 2022 more difficult compared to others who suffered the same injury. He suffered the injury in week five of the 2021 season, then returned in week 10 of the 2022 season.
Here's the problem: While Williams got off to a strong start in 2021, there's no telling which version of him a team will get in the aftermath of his injury. Even before the brutal knee injury, Williams has only had more than 200 receiving yards twice, and he has yet to have more than one receiving touchdown in a season.
There isn't a clear upgrade for a unit that could use a difference-maker. Is the group so poor that it needs a "depth piece''? Unfortunately, it seems right now, "depth pieces'' is all Washington has in its tight ends room.
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