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Redskins' pick of Davis follows a growing trend

By Ryan O'Halloran | Friday, September 26, 2008

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Watching the NFL Draft at home last spring, Chris Cooley was surprised when the Washington Redskins selected Southern California's Fred Davis in the second round.

The previous season, Cooley - a pass-catching tight end - earned his first Pro Bowl selection and signed a new contract.

Yet the Redskins drafted Davis - a pass-catching tight end - to add another option for coach Jim Zorn's West Coast passing scheme.

"I'm still going to be on the field and play every play," Cooley said this summer.

Cooley's prediction proved accurate. Through three games, he has remained an every-down player and one of Jason Campbell's favorite targets (13 catches).

But Davis' addition also represented a growing trend in the league: the need for a second tight end with receiving skills.

Dallas, which hosts Washington on Sunday, selected Martellus Bennett to team with Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. The New York Jets, with Chris Baker and Bubba Franks on the roster, took Dustin Keller in the first round. And Kansas City drafted Brad Cottam in the third round to join Tony Gonzalez.

Athletic tight ends who can dominate linebackers down the field and help block defensive tackles in the run game have become a premium, the reason the Redskins weren't expecting to address the position but snapped up Davis with the 48th pick.

"It gives you an opportunity to do a lot of personnel groupings," Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said. "Teams that are using the tight end a lot and have multiple tight ends can take advantage of that, and I don't see how you turn down a good player when you have an opportunity to take him."

While Davis has played only four snaps in two games, the Redskins envision teaming Davis and Cooley in pass routes and implementing veteran Todd Yoder as a blocker and short-range receiver.