Niles Paul: Shannon Sharpe 2.0?

Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe helped Mike Shanahan win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, played in eight Pro Bowls, and was the first tight end in history to amass 10,000 receiving yards. Known for his ability to break a play open, Sharpe truly was a game changer. Now the Redskins might have stumbled upon a player who could fill that role for another Mike Shanahan team in Niles Paul.

Paul was drafted as a receiver out of Nebraska, but after acquiring Pierre Garcon and Joshua Morgan in the offseason, his spot on the roster was shaky at best. The coaching staff realized this, and suggested that Paul transition to tight end to help him find a spot on the roster.

“They could have just showed me the door,” said Paul about Shanahan’s decision. “[Sharpe] said ‘They’re trying to find you a home [on the roster]. Coach Shanahan believes in you enough to find you a home, you just got to make him right.’”

While Paul has a lot to prove before the comparisons to Sharpe can truly be made, the two do share some similarities. And with tight end Fred Davis fighting off the field problems, and Chris Cooley coming off a knee injury, the Redskins could use depth at the position.

“I hate to compare anybody to a Hall of Fame player,” Shanahan said, “but Shannon Sharpe came into Denver at exactly the same height [and] was about five pounds less than what Niles Paul weighed.”

Paul was a special teams star last year, showing off his speed and blocking skills and making highlight reel tackles in the return game, but now he’ll have to learn an entirely new position that he has never played before. So far, he says the transition hasn’t been a problem.

“I feel like it’s going as smoothly as it can.” Paul said. “Passing game stuff is easy for me to pick up on because it’s the same stuff I did as a wide receiver, [and] I’m getting more comfortable with coming out of a three-point stance and blocking.”

Paul has been in contact with Sharpe, who has mentored him during his transition. Paul says that although Sharpe has been a little harsh with his advice, he has been truthful and helped Paul prepare for the change.

“Shannon Sharpe told me when I was talking to him ‘You gotta understand that [you're] a small guy, [you're] not going to win every battle’,” Paul said. “My role is to protect the running back and the QB. He said as long as I’m doing my job, that’s all that matters.”

Whether or not the transition works, Paul is just happy to play the sport that he loves. At worst he sits behind Davis and Cooley, at best he becomes the newest star in the Shanahan system.

“For [Shanahan] to call me and let me know that they want to give me a chance and find me a home on the field,” Paul said. “I just appreciate the opportunity.”

By Brian Paxton