Entering the 2021 season, a player Saints fans seem the most enthusiastic about is second year tight end Adam Trautman.
From the 393 snaps we saw during the 2020 season Trautman foreshadowed his willingness to block and his versatile athleticism in his route running.
With veteran tight ends Jared Cook and Josh Hill being released earlier this week to open up cap space, that leaves Trautman as the starter, as he should be. However the transition from barely playing one year to being a full time starter could be rough at the tight end position.
Signing a veteran tight end like Jonnu Smith, Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph, and possibly reuniting with Jared Cook or Jimmy Graham could direct Adam Trautman into the star we all believe he’s going to be. It’ll help the transition from going in every few plays a game to getting hit and blocking almost every play of every game.
A similar situation presented itself in 2010 for the Saints with veteran tight end Jeremy Shockey and rookie tight end Jimmy Graham. Shockey helped develop Graham into a superstar for the Saints. The first season Graham started he put up 99 receptions for 1,310 yard and 11 touchdowns.
Trautman was only targeted 16 times with 15 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. The 2020 season however, was to showcase his blocking ability and athleticism rather than his overall ability to be a starting tight end.
I’m not saying Trautman will put up the numbers 2011 Jimmy Graham did, but another season with a veteran tight end could lead to a star in the making.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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