March 7, 2026, 6:06 a.m. ET

When the Washington Commanders used a second-round pick on Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott in the 2024 NFL Draft, fans thought they had a tight end to grow with quarterback Jayden Daniels for the next decade. Unfortunately, that’s not how things have played out thus far. Former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury preferred veteran Zach Ertz, and Daniels trusted the longtime NFL star.

Therefore, Sinnott was often relegated to being the third tight end. When Washington drafted Sinnott, general manager Adam Peters compared him to 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, which was notable. Juszczyk is a potential Hall of Fame fullback, but he’s known for his versatility and blocking. Peters saw big things in Sinnott.

This offseason, the Commanders moved on from Kingsbury, promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator. Blough is expected to run an offense that looks a lot like what Ben Johnson ran in Detroit and does now in Chicago. Therefore, Sinnott could play a more significant role moving forward. Ertz is a free agent and tore his ACL in December. He wants to continue playing and, while Washington remains an option, that decision will come down the road.

Now, the Commanders must find a way to replace Ertz’s targets in the passing game. Are they ready to trust the combination of Sinnott and John Bates to become that third-down and red-zone weapon for Daniels? Ideally, Washington will add a pass-catching tight end in free agency, allowing Sinnott to move around, while Bates remains one of the NFL’s top blocking tight ends.

Will the Commanders target a tight end? That remains to be seen. They should. Here are six options.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Titans TE Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo feels like a potential breakout player. He’s played with a rotating cast of quarterbacks in Tennessee. He’s an excellent receiver who isn’t afraid to initiate contact after the catch. Okonkwo is an terrific athlete, and his best football is ahead of him. He could thrive in the middle of the field, and he’s also a threat to make plays after the catch, something the Commanders have lacked from the position with Ertz. He also played nearby at the University of Maryland. He feels like a perfect fit if Washington signs a tight end.

Ravens TE Isaiah Likely

Everyone has penciled Likely to the Commanders since the Ravens extended Mark Andrews in December. Similar to Okonkwo, Likely’s best football appears to be ahead of him. He’s played the No. 2 tight end role for Baltimore for four seasons and is ready to lead the show. Likely is also an outstanding athlete who can make plays after the catch. A Massachusetts native, the Patriots could be the team to beat for Likely.

Buccaneers TE Cade Otton

Otton doesn’t have the same athletic profile as Okonkwo or Likely. However, he’s been a reliable target for Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. He’d fit into the receiving tight end role perfectly, as he’s not going to offer the same in the run game as Sinnott or Bates. His numbers over the last two years are similar to what Ertz produced in Washington. He could prove to be a solid addition to the passing game, although with a more limited upside.

Browns TE David Njoku

Njoku feels like he has been around forever, yet he’ll only be 30 this season. He spent nine seasons with the Browns and hits free agency for the first time. His best season came in 2023, when he caught 81 passes and six touchdowns. His next best season was 2024, when he had 64 receptions. Njoku had only 33 catches last season and was surpassed by rookie Harold Fannin. How much does he have left? He can still help a team and should be a reliable weapon in the passing game. Any team signing him should know he’s not going to put up huge numbers. The cost will be big for Njoku, but he can absolutely remain an asset with the right situation.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert

Goedert is 31 and remains productive. His career high is 59 receptions, set in 2023. He is a good option in the middle of the field and provides some help in the red zone. Will he leave Philadelphia? The Eagles want to retain him. Again, this is another case about cost. Goedert could be a reliable short-term option for the Commanders, much like Ertz was.

Former Steelers TE Jonnu Smith

Smith is an intriguing option. He will be 31 in August, but Smith had a career year as recently as 2024, recording 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He didn’t do much in Pittsburgh last year, but that could’ve been more of a function of the offense and having to split time at tight end with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Smith has size and remains a good athlete. He shouldn’t cost a lot and would not require a long-term investment. He may be the type of tight end Washington seeks this offseason.