The Mothership projects Washington as the pick at 28

[*ochocincos*]

(04-11-2023, 03:18 PM)depthchart Wrote: .

The thing about Kelce and other very good Tight Ends appears to be in how they run routes and find soft spots in defenses to get open. Their Knack for the game and ability to be on the same page as their QB. How they settle right in to soft spots in the Defense.

I like Washington's physical traits but it looks like his peak season was for just 28 receptions. It seems like Dalton Kincaid is getting respect for his knack for the game as a pass catcher. Kincaid has 24, 44 and 36 reception seasons. Michael Mayer has 42, 71 and 62 reception seasons.

Receptions themselves won't indicate for certain which Tight End will have this knack for getting open while being on the same page as their QB ability.

Any thoughts on which rookie has the likelihood of having this "knack for the game" ?  Which rookie would simply work best with Burrow & the other pieces ?

Kincaid, Mayer, and LaPorta have that "knack" you talk about.
But keep in mind that they didn't have an All-American TE like Brock Bowers to take away their target share.
I firmly believe Washington would have been featured more in the passing game if they didn't have Bowers.
Bowers has put up over 1800 yards and 20 TDs with Georgia the past two seasons.
That's a lot of TE targets and production not going to Washington.

So yes, while I think Washington needs more work and experience to develop that aspect, I think he was limited by the opportunities because of Brock Bowers being that much more prominent as a pass catcher. Bowers is much more in the Kincaid/Evan Engram mold.