fredtoast Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 To me the biggest disappointment has been Tyler Eiferts inability to stay healthy. He is one of the best TEs in the league and completely changes our offense when he is 100%, but it looks like we are not going to be able to count on him contributing for a full season. This has lot's of fans calling for us to draft or sign a replacement, but I think the guys we have already are a bit underrated. Many fans consider Tyler Kroft to be mainly a "blocking TE" because he only had 24 receptions his last year in college, but the previous year he had 43 catches. His numbers dropped due to a change in scheme more so than a lack of confidence in his ability. IN '13 he played more in the slot, but played more on the line in '14. At his Pro Day he put up numbers that would have placed him among the top TEs at the combine. Short Shuttle... 4.20 (1st) 3-cone drill...... 7.12 (2nd) Long Jump...... 10' (2nd) Long Shuttle... 11.78 (2nd) (not sure how many even run this anymore) Forty dash...... 4.67 (3rd) Vertical.......... 34" (6th) At 6'5", 246 with this type of change-of-direction skills and explosiveness he should be a solid receiving threat for us. C.J. Uzomah is an inch taller and 16 pounds heavier than Kroft, but at his Pro Day he ran a forty (4.63) that would have been the second fastest at the combine. His 9'10" long jump would have been 4th best, and his bench, vertical, short shuttle, and 3-cone drill would all have also been in the top 10. He had very little experience being used as a blocker, but he has the size to be effective. So while I think the Bengals will probably draft another TE this year, I don't see them taking one before the 4th round. I think they will continue to work with Kroft anf Uzomah to se if they can develop one or both ot them into a serious receiving threat. My dream is that we see eifert playing like an All pro for 16 games, but that is starting to look doubtful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 I am a fan of those guys. Uzomah needed some development because of how he was used at Auburn, but he's starting to get there. It's a shame Kroft was also hurt because he had an opportunity this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_dish Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 TEs, especially the very athletic ones just seem to have a difficult time staying healthy across the league. i doubt they draft one this year. Where would they put him besides straight to the PS? They'd have to cut one of the three they already have to keep him on the roster and barring injury/IR- that's not happening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 48 minutes ago, big_dish said: i doubt they draft one this year. Where would they put him besides straight to the PS? They'd have to cut one of the three they already have to keep him on the roster and barring injury/IR- that's not happening If they do, I'd take that as an indication Eifert is worse off than they want to admit. You'll know something's up if there's a smokescreen article right before the draft about how well his rehab is progressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 2 hours ago, T-Dub said: If they do, I'd take that as an indication Eifert is worse off than they want to admit. You'll know something's up if there's a smokescreen article right before the draft about how well his rehab is progressing. Would depend on where they draft a TE. Anyone taken 5th round or lower is probably a case of BPA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 5 minutes ago, snarkster said: Would depend on where they draft a TE. Anyone taken 5th round or lower is probably a case of BPA. True, at that point we're talking about guys that may not even make the roster. That would make sense if Eifert is likely to miss camp as they may just need an extra body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Wouldn't mind a futures guy with decent upside that could fill in if someone goes down or who could make it through to the practice squad if all are healthy. A guy capable of being a lead-blocker too in case Hewitt goes down would be a big bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwood Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 On 1/8/2017 at 0:14 PM, big_dish said: TEs, especially the very athletic ones just seem to have a difficult time staying healthy across the league. i doubt they draft one this year. Where would they put him besides straight to the PS? They'd have to cut one of the three they already have to keep him on the roster and barring injury/IR- that's not happening Yes, I think Bengals will trust the rather young trio they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoore Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Would depend on where they draft a TE. Anyone taken 5th round or lower is probably a case of BPA.If butt falls to third I would take him asap he's Jason Witten reborn.Sent from my 2PYB2 using Go-Bengals.com mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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