Redskins TE Niles Paul up to 251 pounds, showing improved blocking
When the Washington Redskins revealed their first depth chart on Monday, some were surprised to see Niles Paul listed ahead of Jordan Reed at tight end. Paul dedicated his offseason to improving his blocking and added nearly 10 more pounds of muscle. This was enough for us to name him our "sleeping giant" in 2015.
Paul entered the NFL at just 224 pounds, having played wide receiver in college, and now he enters the 2015 season as a 251-pound tight end. With the help of the Redskins' team nutritionist, Paul has been able to change his eating habits and add weight that will stick to his frame.
“Usually I don’t eat a lot of meals," Paul told Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "I barely eat breakfast, and have one other meal. But (team nutritionist Jon Mathieson) has made it a point for me to eat 3-4 times a day.”
Paul didn't just simply add weight and muscle, he also used the offseason to focus on his blocking techniques after struggling in this area in 2014. Fellow tight end and teammate Jordan Reed has already noticed the difference in Paul's play.
“The way he’s blocking, man, it looks like he’s been playing the position for a long time,” Reed said, per the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “He takes it real serious.”
Paul was arguably the Redskins' best weapon in the passing game in 2014 before a Week 4 concussion sidetracked his season. The former wide receiver ran a 4.46 at his NFL combine, and observers has noticed that he hasn't lost any speed despite adding muscle to his frame. If Paul can hold on to the No. 1 role, and if his blocking carries over to the regular season, a breakout season could be on its way.
(h/t Richmond Times-Dispatch)
-
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft CB rankings: 5 first-round grades among top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years
2023 NFL WR rankings: Justin Jefferson leads loaded list of top 10 receivers
-
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft CB rankings: 5 first-round grades among top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years
2023 NFL WR rankings: Justin Jefferson leads loaded list of top 10 receivers