Like we stressed in our top 2023 NFL draft takeaways for the Cincinnati Bengals, it would appear it’s Irv Smith Jr. and little else for the team in 2023 at tight end.
Maybe Duke Tobin and Co.’s unwillingness to draft a tight end over eight picks and only adding to the position in undrafted free agency was just an unlucky falling of the board.
But the proverbial writing has been on the wall. C.J. Uzomah wasn’t exactly a highly-paid player two years ago. Hayden Hurst was on a cheaper one-year deal. Now Smith is, too.
Maybe the Bengals just don’t value the position all that much, at least compared to how fans on social media do.
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. put it best after the draft: “The Bengals need to find bodies at tight end. Irv Smith Jr. looks entrenched as the starter and Drew Sample is a capable backup, but two more potential contributors should be added.”
Sample is a great backup who fills a blocking niche and it’s safe to presume Wilcox comes back. They’re adding at least one undrafted free agent and avenues like trades, waiver claims and signing recent cuts can still add to the spot.
But it turns out the signing of Smith was always the big move. It’s understandable if they love the upside of the former second-round pick in this particular offense, despite his missing notable time with injuries over the course of his career.
The Bengals indeed need longer-term contracts at the position, but 2023 is the Irv Smith Jr. show, barring something shocking.
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