Washington Redskins: 5 players who must improve in 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Redskins WR Josh Doctson (18) steps up to the line before a play in the first half during the game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles on October 23, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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3. Jordan Reed

Over his last four seasons with the Chiefs, Smith targeted tight end Travis Kelce on over 22 percent of his pass attempts. Narrow that to the last two seasons, and the percentage of targets to Kelce goes to 24 percent. Last year alone, Smith attempted more passes to tight ends (165) than any quarterback in the NFL, and only three quarterbacks in the league (Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady) have attempted more passes to tight ends over the past five years. So it’s safe to say the Redskins’ tight ends will be a very prominent part of the passing game.

Vernon Davis has been a serviceable backup and occasional starter over the last two seasons for Washington, and he and Smith were together for seven seasons (2006-12) with the 49ers. But at 34 years old, with his late fade last year in mind, Davis can’t be the Redskins’ No. 1 tight end this year. That falls on Reed, as usual.

Reed played a career-low six games last year, before being put on IR with a hamstring injury, which is saying something for someone with his injury history. He more recently had a “procedure” on his toes, after being bothered by a toe issue during training camp last year, and that has kept him from doing any serious work at OTAs.

Reed has missed at least four games in four of his five NFL seasons, with the lone exception (14 games in 2015) fostering his career-highs across the board (87 receptions for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns). With the hope of better health, Reed has to at least threaten those numbers this year.

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