The Washington Redskins are reportedly trying to trade tight end Fred Davis before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. Possible destinations include the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. Rookie Jordan Reed, meanwhile, is expected to become a difference-maker on the field and is drawing comparisons to Aaron Hernandez's style of play.
The emergence of Reed has relegated Davis to the bench. Davis, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, was inactive on Sunday against the Bears. Although coach Mike Shanahan said Davis was inactive "because of special teams consideration," both Pro Football Talk and the Washington Post report the Redskins are actively trying to trade Davis ahead of the Tuesday deadline.
Shanahan hasn't denied the Redskins are exploring trade options for Davis.
"That's what people do when you make a decision if you think you need a draft choice, or if you think that person can help you later in the year, especially with an injury," Shanahan said, via The Post.
The 27-year-old tight end is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury. In four games played, Davis has three receptions on seven targets for 25 yards. Davis hasn't asked for a trade, but he is open to it if that means more playing time, according to The Post.
Both the Bills and Jets showed interest in Davis during the offseason. ESPN reported on Tuesday that Buffalo could see Davis as another option at tight end to pair with Scott Chandler.
The Dolphins would also make sense as a destination. Although Miami needs a tight end, the team hasn't overtly shown any interest in Davis.
With Davis likely finished in Washington either way, the team is embracing Reed as its future at tight end. The former Gator already has 298 yards and two touchdowns for the season, including a breakout performance on Sunday against Chicago for 134 yards and one touchdown.
ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski expects Reed to become a top tight end; he likened the rookie to Hernandez for his size, agility and hands.
"This guy will be sensational," Jaworski said, via ESPN. "He's one of the guys that jumps off the tape at you. I like to use the word flash. We saw a little bit of it earlier this season but clearly against Chicago I saw it a lot more.
"We were talking here, he reminded us on the field of an Aaron Hernandez. He has that kind of wide receiver movement for a big guy. This guy is going to scare the hell out of defense. They can't load up the box when you have the ability to get him down the field matched against linebackers and safeties. That's a mismatch.
"He has a chance to be really good. We talk about splash plays; the splash plays against Chicago came from him."
