If you think the Chargers are all set at tight end after signing veteran Jeff Cumberland, think again. While Antonio Gates and Cumberland occupy the top two spots on the depth chart, the Chargers still must replace No. 3 and No. 4 tight ends John Phillips and David Johnson, who combined to play 884 snaps last season.
The Chargers will likely add another tight end via the draft, but the final piece of the four-man mix may be second-year pro Sean McGrath.
McGrath has been a perennial practice squad player since entering the league in 2012, spending time with the Seahawks, Chiefs, Colts and Chargers. Still, he has flashed some potential when given the opportunity.
Starting nine games for the Chiefs in 2013 in place of the injured Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano, McGrath hauled in 23 receptions for 302 yards and two touchdowns for a solid 11.6-yard average. He led all KC tight ends in receptions that season.
While McGrath’s experience is far from exceptional, it’s considerably more than Asante Cleveland, who has just one catch on his NFL resume, and Tim Semisch, a 6″8″ blocking tight end who caught just 10 balls in his four-year college career.
The 6’5” McGrath is the most seasoned tight end after Gates and Cumberland, which isn’t saying much, but has plenty of questions to answer regarding his rocky past.
In college, the Illinois-native started at Eastern Illinois University, but just when he began to establish himself, was dismissed for violating team rules and transferred to the smaller-than-small Henderson State.
Similarly, after having a decent NFL debut with the Chiefs in 2013, McGrath failed to report to training camp in 2014 and inexplicably retired the following summer.
For an undrafted small-school player like McGrath to continue to get chances proves that he has potential, but questions regarding his dedication and potential longevity must be answered if he is going to stick on the 53-man roster.
