Raiders: TE room continues to get deeper with newest addition
Las Vegas Raiders announce another signing, this time at the tight end position.
When it comes to headlines revolving around the tight end position, the Las Vegas Raiders have been in the spotlight as much as any other team this off-season. Mostly, this was due to a rumor circulating of a potential Darren Waller trade to Green Bay. Of course, the rumors have since been silenced, and Waller has no desire to leave the Silver and Black.
On Tuesday, the Raiders were back in the headlines for tight end reasons, but this time for a much more fan-friendly reason; Las Vegas announced the signing of tight end Jesper Horsted.
An undrafted free agent in 2019, Horsted signed with the Chicago Bears following the draft, where he remained until this off-season. Although the 6’4 tight end would spend the entirety of 2020 on Chicago’s practice squad, Horsted spent the other two seasons on the active roster, appearing in 13 contests with one start.
During his time in Chicago, Horsted caught 10 passes while taking three to the house. In total, the 25-year-old has recorded 108 receiving yards, with a 76.9 catch percentage. If you remember the ’21 season well, you may recall one of his three career touchdowns coming against your home team in week five.
Raiders’ tight end room continues to get deeper
Horsted joins a tight end unit consisting of Foster Moreau, Jacob Hollister, and the Pro Bowler Darren Waller. For a play-caller such as Josh McDaniels, tight end depth goes a long way. After all, It’s hard to think of a team who’s relied on the tight end position as much as the Patriots through the last decade.
Still, the big obstacle in Horsted’s way when it comes to fighting for a roster spot is the sheer depth. On average, an NFL roster carries three tight ends. Of all the players currently in the unit, Moreau and Waller are locks, and Hollister is as close to it gets as a sure thing. If that wasn’t enough, Nick Bowers and UDFA Cole Fotheringham will be battling for that fourth spot – If the Raiders choose to keep four.
The road to earning a spot on the active roster is tough for Horsted, but for now, welcome to Raider Nation.