Bengals Roster Breakdown: TE
81. Irv Smith
89. Drew Sample
86. Devin Asiasi
82. Nick Bowers
87. Tanner Hudson
85. Christian Trahan
The Bengals have lost their starting TE in free agency two years in a row, first losing CJ Uzomah following the 2021 season, and then Hayden Hurst this past March. The Bengals did make an addition to the group, but not one that was super high profile. As well, they chose not to add a TE in the draft, which had a deep class. It could be argued that this is the weakest position on the team.
After losing Hurst to the Panther, the Bengals added Irv Smith to fill the void. He is a great athlete for the position, but brings a different dynamic as an undersized TE. Despite not being the biggest guy for a TE, his ability to create separation still gives him the ability to contribute. Health has been the biggest issue for Smith, thus far. As long as he can remain on the field, he’ll be the starter.
I suppose Drew Sample is the number 2 by default, but that won’t inspire much confidence. Sample is a quality blocking TE, but he brings very little as a receiver. That may allow for some kind of competition for the spot, but it would be a surprise to see any of the depth below pose as a legitimate threat.
Devin Asiasi is poised to be the 3rd TE on the depth chart. He was used in a depth/special teams role last year, and that won’t change. Asiasi isn’t flashy, but does enough as a blocker and a receiver for a TE3. Solid depth guy, overall.
After the top 3, there is likely a big gap between them and the rest, heading into camp. Nick Bowers and Tanner Hudson have both spent some time on the Bengals practice squad in the past. I had to go back to their college days to catch a glimpse of what they may bring. I came away liking Bowers a bit more, but neither seem to bring much upside beyond that of a depth player. They are most likely fighting for a practice squad spot. Hudson got a bit of work as a long snapper during OTA’s. With little separating the two, this kind of versatility could make a difference in the battle.
Undrafted rookie Christian Trahan rounds out the group. He is a decent blocker and has good hands, but possesses sub par athleticism. Both his film and pre-draft testing indicated as much. That on its own makes him a pretty big long shot to make it. Perhaps they can find use for him in an H-Back role, but the chances of that happening are also slim, given that the Bengals don’t often use an H-Back/FB type, and Asiasi could fill that role from time to time.
UPDATE: Since the writing of this article, TE Mitchell Wilcox has been re-signed by the Bengals, and will factor into the roster battles.
Modified Featured Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)