The Washington Commanders are in a tricky situation at tight end. The franchise got an unexpected boost in 2024 from veteran Zach Ertz — a player who had basically been thrown on the NFL scrap heap — and he’s back for 2025 on a 1-year, $6.25 million contract. They also have a young tight end who could be the future at the position in 2024 second round pick Ben Sinnott.
The problem is Ertz, while he was great in 2024, has a long injury history and the odds are stacked against him playing at an elite level again in 2025. Sinnott did little in his rookie season to show he might be ready for a larger role in 2025.
That’s why the Commanders should make a move that might serve to help that position and not upset the apple cart too much by bringing in veteran free agent Jordan Akins on a 1-year contract.
Akins, 33 years old, is old enough that he can fit in perfectly with Ertz and there’s no risk of him being the tight end of the future. He’s also the No. 1 rated free agent tight end still available according to Sharp Football Analysis.
Akins played the last 2 seasons for the Cleveland Browns, with 40 receptions for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024. Akins has 10 career touchdown receptions over 7 seasons and $10.2 million in career earnings.
Another benefit to signing Akins is he won’t be a costly expenditure — the Commanders could probably go in with a “take it or leave it” 1-year, $1.5 million contract offer.
Bailey Zappe (1) to Jordan Akins (2)
Cleveland Browns
16 yards
TE Called ‘Biggest Position Need’ for Commanders
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine called tight end the “Biggest Position Need” for the Commanders on offense headed into 2025. That’s despite going 12-5 and making the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991 last season.
Ertz was at the heart of the Commanders’ resurgence with 66 receptions for 654 yards and 7 touchdowns and was essentially the safety blanket for rookie quarterback and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels throughout the year.
Still, it’s the second consecutive season where Ertz is being called out as a question mark for the Commanders.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon predicted Ertz would be the “biggest bust” for the Commanders in 2024 after he signed a 1-year, $3 million contract.
“Zach Ertz has reliable hands,” Kenyon wrote. “For rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, that will be a positive in a safety outlet. At this point of Ertz’s career, however, that’s about as positive as it gets. He hardly generates any yards after the catch and is no longer a high-volume target.”
Ertz is entering his 13th NFL season and will turn 35 years old in November.
Another Option: Swing for the Fences With Trade
There remains another option for the Commanders — swing for the fences with a big time trade.
One player who might be available could be Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.
Pitts has one season left on his 4-year, $32.9 million rookie contract after the Falcons picked up his fifth-year option at $10.8 million for 2025 — the Commanders have approximately $21 million in cap space still available.
The Falcons and Pitts made history in the 2021 NFL draft when he was selected with the No. 4 overall pick — the highest a tight end has been drafted in NFL history.
