The Cincinnati Bengals have desperately been looking for a reliable and consistent tight end room since Joe Burrow arrived in 2020. Recent additions via free agency and the draft indicate the organization understood they needed to do more to revamp the position. Burrow loves to work out of shotgun so he can quickly diagnose the defense. This means viable pass-catching options that also act as a safety valve are critical to helping his offense function at its highest levels. The Bengals have brought in Mike Gesicki from the New England Patriots and drafted Erick All and Tanner McLachlan. Let’s look at what these three bring to help take the offense to new heights.
Recent Tight End Additions Should Benefit Joe Burrow
Mike Gesicki
One of the first big splashes for the Bengals in free agency was Mike Gesicki. He is a capable, big-bodied target for Burrow to rely on and will be especially important on third down. The one aspect of Gesicki’s game that the Bengals were the most drawn to was his catch radius, especially on contested throws. Tight ends coach James Casey noted, “It gives you flexibility when you feel like you have an above-average pass catcher at tight end, you can put him in some receiving roles, too. You know Mike can do some of that stuff. Over the last five years, I’ve seen him run across the field and make explosive plays. Go across the field, like on a crossing route, and he’s got enough speed and size to be able to separate and make those catches. Obviously, he can also go down the seam and his red-zone stuff is impressive.”
Erick All
Cincinnati native and Fairfield High School alum Erick All was the Bengals’ fourth-round selection at pick 115 overall. All is somewhat of a risk based on his recent injury history including a torn ACL last season and what was described as a “life-changing” spine surgery at The BioSpine Institute in Florida. Absent the injuries, there’s no doubt about the talent that All has on the football field. He’s agile and athletic for his size and has shown the ability to run a varied route tree in multiple systems. All is also a willing blocker and will likely be used in the heavy 11-personnel the Bengals frequently run to free up others. Cincinnati will slowly bring the former Hawkeye along, hoping he’s cleared for training camp and ready to contribute in Week 1.
Tanner McLachlan
The steal of the Bengals draft haul may come in the form of former basketball player turned tight end, Tanner McLachlan from Arizona. Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network is one of McLachlan’s biggest fans throughout the scouting and evaluation process.
"I think he's got as good of instincts as anybody in the draft at that spot."
Daniel Jeremiah was a massive fan of new Bengal tight end Tanner McLachlan.
Full story: https://t.co/lh3XCmaogH pic.twitter.com/70ldyknkKN
— Jordan Hamm (@JordyHamm) April 27, 2024
McLachlan has a great feel and plays with a competitive fire that is evident in doing whatever it takes to gain extra yards upon first contact. When you account for these traits and where the Bengals took him at 194 overall, you might have one of the most overlooked players in the 2024 draft.
Main Photo: Michael Chow-USA TODAY NETWORK
