The Cincinnati Bengals first round pick is as open as ever. As the Bengals free agency haul continues to shape up, needs within the draft begin to be lessened. Thus far, needs have started to transition into wants. Cincinnati lost Hayden Hurst to the Carolina Panthers and has yet to re-sign Drew Sample. Given, Sample was never that receiving threat they wanted. In the wee hours of March 28th, the Bengals brought in Irv Smith, Jr. on a one-year deal.
As was the case with signing Orlando Brown, Jr., this signing does not take the Bengals out of the running for a first-round tight end. This year’s draft is significantly better than last at the tight end position. There were only a few players who could be expected to contribute. Not the case this year. In the 2023 NFL Draft, there are a number of studs and the best of them could be right there for the taking at 28.
Tight End Options for the Cincinnati Bengals First Round Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Easily TE1 in this year’s draft, Michael Mayer would be an instant upgrade and a fun weapon for Joe Burrow’s offense. Smith’s signing is going to be very much like Hayden Hurst’s: a one-year, prove-it deal to get him a longer contract in 2024. While Mayer can be a plug-and-play tight end, very rarely do rookie tight ends step in and produce. By allowing him (or any rookie tight end, for that matter) to play behind Smith and get his feet wet, the Bengals can make sure he has all the tools he needs to succeed in year two
Mayer leaves Notre Dame as the most productive tight end in program history where he broke receiving yards and touchdowns records in his last two years. Considering how the Bengals loved Tyler Eifert way back when, Mayer would be a great addition. Plus, he’s from just over the river at Covington Catholic.
Mayer is a great option as a receiver as well as a blocker. He’s able to split out wide, play in the slot, and play in-line. He’s not a unicorn as Kyle Pitts was regarded (or how Brock Bowers will be next year) but he’s a very solid prospect. He has the ability to find the soft spots in the defense. Considering how the Bengals have had to deal with the likes of Mark Andrews in Baltimore, Cincinnati would love to have its own version.
Mayer is the surest bet in a very deep tight end class. Last year, Cincinnati heavily targeted the position in a much more shallow class. They’ll come out of this draft with at least one tight end and selecting Mayer at 28 would be a slam dunk.
There is a general feeling, however, that Mayer is the only tight end worth a first-round selection.
Darnell Washington, Georgia
Where Darnell Washington lacks in production, he makes up in size, athleticism, and absolute intimidation. He’s been living in the shadow of Bowers at Georgia. Given how awesome Bowers is, it makes sense, but it’s made Washington into the NFL-ready tight end that he is today.
He seriously broke out early on in the 2022 season as Georgia royally destroyed Oregon. He came to Georgia in 2020 as a two-sport athlete and five-star recruit. Anyone who has watched him can confirm: this kid is a monster.
As a receiving right end, Washington could be considered pretty raw; he’s only recorded a total of 45 receptions in three seasons…28 of which came last year. He’s a matchup nightmare coming off of the line with his ridiculous 6’7″ size.
The reason why Washington may be a legitimate option for the Bengals in the first round is that he is a fantastic blocker and often “Michael Oher’d guys into the stands.” The Bengals over-drafted Drew Sample because he was a good blocker, imagine what they’ll do when faced with a physical specimen like Washington who can also be a receiving threat.
Dalton Kincaid, Utah
The third Bengals first round tight end option is likely a reach. However, if the board falls in a certain way, Dalton Kincaid may be the pick at the end of the round.
Kincaid would be another bona fide weapon for Burrow and that offense. At Utah, he finished with 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. Of these three options, he’s likely the biggest receiving threat. Add him to the tandem of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, and watch out.
One of the Bengals needs heading into the draft is adding a WR4. Kincaid, in addition to playing tight end, could essentially fill that role. He’s able to find holes in the defense and get plenty of YAC. No matter where he is on the field or what is asked of him, Kincaid is able to produce. He can stretch the field, go up the seam, sit in the zone, or make that clutch grab in traffic.
Plus, the Bengals love to draft team captains, and Kincaid checks that box.
All in all, Kincaid at 28 is less likely than the other two and would likely be a trade-back option. However, when the Bengals have their eye on someone, they’re prone to just pulling the trigger. Even if Kincaid would be considered a reach, he will be a fantastic option and would turn into a fan-favorite as Hurst did before the bye week.
