Raise your hand if you thought Devin Asiasi would make a case for regular targets in the offense during the preseason finale against the Giants on Sunday.
You’re a liar if you raised your hand.
In the 22-20 win over the Giants, Asiasi showed serious flashes as a guy that could be depended on in the passing game, a huge development for whoever is under center when the Dolphins come to Foxborough in two weeks. The second-year tight end caught all four of his targets for 64 yards including a 30 yarder from Mac Jones.
It was obviously only a small sample size against non-starters, but it was hard to ignore the athleticism he showed making a few of the grabs and while the receivers continue to dwell in mediocrity, Asiasi revealed himself as a potentially valuable asset to any of the quarterbacks on the roster.
“It felt good to get out there, get those reps, a couple catches,” Asiasi said postgame. “There’s definitely still some more room for improvement out there, for sure. But I think it’s something to build off going into the season.”
After a two-catch, 39-yard rookie season followed up by a stint on the Covid-19 list at the beginning of training camp, it’s understandable why no one had any expectations for Asiasi. There hadn’t really been anything to point towards from any of the training camp practices or the first two preseason games either, but Asiasi has quietly continued trying to get better each day and we finally saw some of that work being rewarded on Sunday night.
“I think every week is a step forward, just getting reps on the practice field and during game day, as well,” he said. “Every week I’m looking to take a step forward in my game, become more reliable to my coaches and then just stepping out there and doing what I know I can do, so it feels good.”
In fairness to Asiasi, there were no real veteran tight ends for him to learn from as a rookie during a Covid season last year too. Now, he’s got two outstanding guys in the room with him in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and it’s clearly been valuable.
“A lot,” he said when asked how much they’ve helped him. “They’re the big bros, guys that I look up to obviously (with) what they’ve done in the game and their ability and what they can do on the field. Each and every day I try to take something from them and try to apply it to my game. It’s good to have them. It’s great to have them in the room, so I really love that.”
With Jakobi Myers still the only reliable receiver the team has heading into the regular season and Hunter Henry’s injury still worrisome, there is a real possibility that Asiasi is going to be called upon to be a dependable part of the offense. If that’s the case, then Sunday’s performance should provide fans with a bit of confidence that the second-year man out of UCLA could be a viable option to help pick up the slack.