Bengals Training Camp Preview: TE
Players:
88. Mike Gesicki
89. Drew Sample
87. Tanner Hudson
83. Erick All
84. Tanner McLachlan
85. Cam Grandy
Man, I love this position group. Almost top to bottom, you could make the case for any player to see significant playing time.
Mike Gesicki will likely top the depth chart. He is an established veteran, and a dynamic threat in the passing game. I’m sure he’ll run some routes from the in-line position, but most of his production is expected to come out of the slot. I mentioned in my previous article that Jermaine Burton is a candidate to replace much of Tyler Boyd’s production in the slot. Gesicki is the other. His combination of size and athleticism will make for an interesting addition to the passing attack, but he won’t do much blocking.
That role will be filled by Drew Sample. There has been a lot of talk of him “switching” to a FB. This to me, if it happens, seems like a formality more than anything. As a FB, his primary role will be to block, as it has been for his whole career. Perhaps he does a lot more blocking out of the backfield, like you would see from a FB. I think this would be good for the offence. But whether in-line or from the backfield, Sample will primarily be a blocker once again.
Tanner Hudson will be an interesting name to follow this offseason. Last year, he began as a practice squander, but later emerged as the team’s top pass catching TE. He did enough to earn a new contract with the Bengals. I like the player, but with Gesicki and two rookie draft picks added to the fold, is there room for him? Hard to say. He might have to battle for it once again.
Erick All was the first of the two TE’s drafted by the Bengals. He is a solid athlete and a good route runner, who has reliable hands. All can further contribute a little as a blocker. With Gesicki and Sample around, he won’t be relied on heavily, and can instead grow into his position. Coming off a college injury, the possibility of him starting on the PUP list has been floated out there. Doing this would make clear room for Hudson on the roster.
Tanner McLachlan was taken later on in the draft, but is someone I had a 3rd round grade on. He may be buried on the depth chart this season, but I see starter potential in the future. He’ll be fighting Hudson and All for a higher placement on the depth chart, with his most likely outcome being fourth or fifth.
Undrafted rookie Cam Grandy is the final TE currently on the roster. He caught quite a few passes in college, but his underwhelming athleticism will likely prevent him from being more than a check down guy in the passing game. Grandy is a good blocker, and will have to make a good impression in this area. Barring injuries, his chances of making the roster are next to none. But impressing as a blocker could land him a spot on the practice squad.
Modified Featured Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)