As the Washington Redskins began their voluntary offseason conditioning program this week, second-year pro Niles Paul started preparing to switch from wide receiver to tight end.
Paul, whom the Redskins drafted in the fifth round out of Nebraska last year, played in 13 games as a rookie, recording two catches for 25 yards. Most of his action came on special teams, but he did start two games at receiver and pleased coaches with his effective blocking.
“Coach gave me a call earlier this offseason and asked me how I’d feel about switching to tight end,” Paul said in a phone interview Friday morning. “I told him, ‘I’ll play wherever you want me.’ I’ve done everything I’ve been asked, and I’ll keep doing it. I’m excited about the position change. I’m excited that coach has enough respect for me that he’d call me to ask me what I thought about it.”