Niles

Paul

The longtime Redskin was cut by the 49ers four days ago. Paul spent 2018 in Jacksonville, catching 10 passes in six games. A 2011 fifth-rounder, Paul drew some mid-career hype but was frequently derailed by injury, including concussions. He hangs up his cleats with 78 lifetime grabs for 954 yards and two scores. Paul is only 30.

Paul lasted only a week in San Francisco. The 49ers saw more upside in UDFA Daniel Helm.

An oft-injured journeyman, Paul is merely insurance for Brent Celek as the latter remains questionable for the regular season. He’ll battle it out with Ross Dwelley, Kaden Smith, Levine Toilolo, and Tyree Mayfield for the No. 3 tight end job behind George Kittle and Celek.

He had been on the Jaguars’ NFI list with a knee injury. Paul should catch on with a new team once healthy, though he’s never been a big fantasy asset.

Paul caught seven passes for 65 yards against the Chiefs in Week 5 filling in for an injured Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He was expected to keep that role moving forward, but he suffered a knee injury after just three snaps against the Cowboys. He will likely miss a couple of games at least. James O’Shaughnessy is next up on the depth chart, although the Jaguars could add some help.

Filling in for Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who appeared to aggravate his core-muscle injury, Paul racked up five of his catches in the second half. If ASJ is forced to miss time, Paul would get into the TE2 conversation at a desolate position.

Last year’s fifth-rounder is thick at 225 pounds, but his 6'1" height is awfully low for a tight end. He’s built more like a running back. Blocked at receiver by the team’s free-agent signings, Paul is ticketed for another season of special teams work if he makes the roster.

The comments are made in the wake of news that Niles Paul has been moved from wide receiver to tight end. Cooley has a cap number of $6.23 million in 2012, is coming off a knee injury and the Redskins are up against the cap due to league penalties. Fred Davis is the team’s primary tight end.

Paul just shed his walking boot and starting jogging, so he is almost certainly out for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. The rookie was primarily being used on special teams, but is missing a chance for offensive snaps with Leonard Hankerson (hip) and Santana Moss (finger) both sidelined and Anthony Armstrong in the doghouse.

Paul shed his walking boot last week, but is still dealing with some inflammation. He’ll likely return in Week 13. Although the Redskins figure to get their rookie wideout some reps down the stretch, he won’t be worth a flier with Santana Moss set to return as early as this week.