What’s the deal with Washington Commanders second-year tight Ben Sinnott? Washington used a second-round pick on Sinnott in the 2024 NFL draft, yet he remains the team’s No. 3 tight end.

Coaches praised Sinnott in the offseason for his development, but that hasn’t translated into more playing time this fall. While Sinnott has played in 11 of Washington’s 12 games, he played only 27% of the Commanders‘ offensive snaps. That’s roughly the same amount he played in his rookie season. This year, Sinnott has three receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown. In two seasons, Sinnott has played in 28 games, catching eight passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

The good news is that Sinnott has caught every one of his targets. Unfortunately, he has just eight.

At 3-9 and having lost seven games in a row, it’s been said that Washington coach Dan Quinn should be finding out more about his younger players, with Sinnott a prime example. The problem is that Zach Ertz and John Bates are in front of him. Bates is Washington’s blocking tight end and one of the best in the NFL in that role. Ertz is 35, but he remains productive and healthy.

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was asked about Sinnott’s development this week.

“Yeah, he can do that, there’s no doubt,” Kingsbury said of Sinnott’s development as a receiver. “I mean, he’s a dynamic player in space for that type of position. Can create separation, all those things. It’s just, it’s a tough room when you have one of the all-time greats in there that we lean on in those situations. But he’s progressed just the way we want.”

You have to appreciate Kingsbury’s honesty here. He admitted that Sinnott is behind Ertz because Ertz is a veteran and remains productive. Ertz is coming off his best game of the season against the Denver Broncos, when he caught 10 passes for 106 yards.

Still, at some point, Kingsbury and the Commanders should find more ways to create opportunities for Sinnott in the passing game. If, for nothing else, to see what he can do in an expanded role. Ertz is a free agent after the season. If Washington doesn’t believe Sinnott can ascend into a more significant role next year, you can probably add tight end to the list of needs.