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“I’m excited to…do what I know I can do,” Sinnott said.
Sinnott was the second tight end taken off the board when the Commanders selected him with the 53rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was praised for his route running coming out of Kansas State, where he recorded 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns on 82 receptions over three seasons, as well as his potential as a blocker. He’s done more of the latter during his NFL career, with more than a third of his snaps coming on special teams. Over the last two seasons, he has had nine catches on nine targets for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
The Commanders, who already had their primary starting and backup tight ends in Ertz and John Bates when they drafted Sinnott, have tried to give him time to develop as the third player on the depth chart. So far, Sinnott has felt the effects of that approach. He said the game is slowing down for him, and he’s gaining confidence in his role within Washington’s scheme.
Quinn has noticed the work he’s put in to improve, too. He’s seen the extra work he’s done with Ertz on the sideline during practice, and Quinn said it’s made a noticeable difference in his development. “We feel his speed,” Quinn added, “we feel his energy to go do that.”
Sinnott has shown flashes of what he can do as a pass catcher over the last two years. He made a 22-yard grab — the longest of his career so far — in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Two weeks later, he got the second touchdown catch of his career on a four-yard pass from Marcus Mariota against the Detroit Lions.
After the game, Quinn said it has been good to see the improvements Sinnott has made “come to life” in a game scenario. And after seeing him start to make more plays, Quinn has more confidence that he’sready for a larger role.
It’s been difficult for Sinnott to get on the field, though, mostly because of the overall talent in the position group. Ertz is one of the best tight ends in NFL history, and Bates, while not a pass-catcher, provides invaluable snaps as a blocker. Ertz said that there are few people on the planet who can block like Bates, and it’s been hard for the Commanders to justify leaving either player on the sideline.
That doesn’t mean Kingsbury or anyone else on the coaching staff is down on what Sinnott has to offer.
“He’s a dynamic player in space for that type of position,” Kingsbury said. “[He] Can create separation, all those things … He’s progressed just the way we want.”
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