Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Cincinnati Bengals lose Erick All for 2025, elevating offseason need at tight end

Starting point is 00:00:00 Bad news for Cincinnati Bengals tight end, Eric All. He will not be available for 2025. Let's break down what happened and what that means for the Bengals going forward. You are Locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. What up, Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Locked On Bengals podcast. I'm your host, Jake Liscoe. He's your host, James Rupin.

Starting point is 00:00:35 We are locked on Bengals on the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team, every day. We're on YouTube. We're everywhere you get your podcast. So if you're new to the show, you can hit that subscribe button to make sure you don't miss an episode and help get more Bengals fans' eyes on the daily show, keeping you up to date on everything going on with the Bengals with offseason analysis and news and all those great things about the Cincinnati Bengals. Welcome back to the everydayers, those of you who don't miss an episode. appreciate all of you for making us part of your daily routine, especially those of you who make us your first listen.

Starting point is 00:01:09 Today's episode is sponsored by prize picks, where with promo code, locked on NFL, you will get $50 instantly with your first $5 play. James, we're starting with some somber news today. As we look ahead to the Bengals' tight end position in 2025, it will not include Eric All. And we're going to start with essentially, how Eric All got to this spot based on what we understand happened with the injury history

Starting point is 00:01:40 with the ACL to where we are today. And then we'll take a look at the thin, thin Bengals roster, the Bengals tight end position after losing Eric All for the foreseeable future. And take a look at the opportunities to acquire tight end talent this offseason. And it starts with the Eric All situation. He essentially hasn't had the ACL repaired yet, James. The surgery that he had was in preparation to get that ACL repaired. That surgery will happen sometime in the next couple of months.

Starting point is 00:02:15 And then the ACL recovery timeline kind of starts over. It hasn't really started yet for Eric All. And there's more to that. But what a devastating blow for both all, especially for all, feel crushed for the young Bengals tight end and for the team. Yeah, it sucks. It sucks for all involved. Obviously, pun intended, and I'm going to make a few all puns, because he literally can do

Starting point is 00:02:39 it all. And that's the other element here. He was easily going to be, easily going to be the best tight end that Bengals have had in the Joe Borough era. I'll say it again. Easily, like not even close, he would have cleared by a wide margin. And it felt like he was ramping up what he was doing in the passing. game and how dynamic it can be as a pass catcher.

Starting point is 00:03:00 I think back to August or September when I was talking to him about his playmaking ability and playing tight-in and he told me how much he loved to block, be physical. He preferred to block more than catch passes, which is awesome because he's great at catching passes and really learn the offense and worked really hard. And you didn't hear anything bad about him at all throughout this process. And by bad, I mean like, oh, yeah, he didn't get it to me. day, but then he picks it up and then tomorrow he gets it. And so he was absorbing information fast and he was getting that trust from Joe that you would love to see from any rookie,

Starting point is 00:03:40 but certainly a tight end that's going to be relied upon. And so to lose that and to go back to kind of what it's been is, all right, well, this is a blocking tight end. This is a past catching tight end and we will make it work. I mean, it was kind of like the the best tease or the worst tease because you saw exactly what it looks like when you have a guy who can do it all, pun intended again, at tight end in this offense, and you want more of that. At least I do. And so when I see this, and it isn't just him coming back from his second ACL, but there's all these complications with it, something that you were the first one to mention to me, by the way, so I will give you credit, even if no one else was listening at that time because we weren't recording. or it's just it sucks it sucks it sucks i hate it and i do the last thing for for this initial

Starting point is 00:04:35 topic is the last time i saw eric in person he was walking out of the the bengal's facility and he was still on crutches and i didn't do the math in my head but it was like towards the end of the year and i was like what like why why would he still be on crutch but i was doing a thousand things So I didn't have time to even look at when he would have possibly had the surgery. And I was like, man, that just seems weird. And then I just moved on with my day. Well, then you get the rumblings about this and it not going well in all of those things. And it's obviously true.

Starting point is 00:05:11 And it just sucks. I hate it for him. Yeah, it's really devastating stuff for a player with his potential to have gone through what he went through to get to the NFL. and then have this injury come back to Biden because it was complications with the initial surgery that left him. Iowa surgery. Yeah, the surgery in Iowa towards ACL in 2023. That surgery left him at a higher risk of re-injury.

Starting point is 00:05:38 And we'll see what comes out around that in terms of additional developments or not. Paul Dayner's reporting is pretty straight to the point on this, that issues, following that injury in 2023. Complications with that surgery left him more at risk of re-injury in the NFL than a typical ACL repair. And so the surgery that he had, because he has had a surgery, I think either late November, early December, there's a photo of him on Instagram in the hospital on December 6th or something of 2024.

Starting point is 00:06:15 I don't know if the surgery was like November 30th area or December 1st through 5th area. and he just posted the photo on Instagram on his social media on December 6th, but that initial surgery was kind of to clear things out from that original surgery in preparation for an eventual repair to try to get things back on track, to try to get him to a point where he can return to football and potentially not have that significant risk of re-injury this time around. So where there was a lot of consternation over Eric Al and the back issue and the back surgery when he was coming out of the draft.

Starting point is 00:06:54 He was very adamant about that. When pre-draft media talked to him, when pre-draft media talked to him, the back wasn't an issue anymore. And the back, as far as we know, wasn't an issue. It was just this ACL came back up. And hopefully that gives him the opportunity to restart his career in 2026. I think that that is really challenging. in it of itself. He's a 24-year-old player. He's going to be missing his second year. Obviously,

Starting point is 00:07:26 I'm rooting for him to be able to make an NFL comeback, restart his career, establish himself again as a player that he started to establish himself as a rookie. Because like you said, the reviews from the other players that you would hear talk about and from the coaches that you'd hear talk about and were consistently glowing. And so obviously the hope is that he's able to get back to that in the NFL, the Bengals. But Long Road to ahead and truly feel terrible for him. It's really just like about as bad as you can imagine that whole thing going for. Yeah. Yeah. I think the good news is it's 2025 and not forever. It's obviously an uphill climb. I do think he's got the right attitude about it. Like I've

Starting point is 00:08:12 talked to him about injuries in general before and just how he he goes about it like you need to be a certain way. I think to make it through something like this. this where I'm sure when he went into that initial surgery, he thought that that was going to be it. He'd get it repaired and then he'd be rehabbing right now and be on the road to hopefully being back by camp. I'm sure that was like in his mind going into that surgery, probably the hope.

Starting point is 00:08:35 And obviously that's not the case. And so hopefully he can make a full recovery. It's going to be a long journey. And it, for him, is going to take time. And then for the Bengals, it's going to take, something, it's not as simple as, oh, we'll just go sign this guy. And I think that that's sort of where we can go next, is look at what they have in that room, in that tight end room, because they have three tight ends under contract.

Starting point is 00:09:05 People look at it and be like, they got three tight ends under contract. Jake, what do you mean? They're fine. They're fine, guys. Are they fine? The answer is probably no. We'll dive into it coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by Intuit TurboTax. Taxes is waiting and wandering and worrying if you were going to get any money back and then waiting, wandering, and worrying some more. And now Taxes is matching with a TurboTax expert who can do your taxes as soon as today. An expert who gives your taxes their undivided attention as they work on your return, while you get a real-time update throughout the process, updates on their progress so you can focus on your day and not worry about taxes.

Starting point is 00:09:48 who will find every deduction possible and file every form, every investment, every, everything with 100% accuracy, they will do it all. So you can get the most money back guaranteed. No waiting, no wondering, no worries. Now this is taxes. Get an expert now at turbotax.com. Only available with TurboTax Live full service. Real-time updates only in iOS mobile app.

Starting point is 00:10:11 See guaranteed details at turbotax.com slash guarantees. The Bengals got a deal done with Cam Grande. That's their one official move of the offseason so far at any position, and in particular, the tight-end position. Grandy was an exclusive rights-free agent. For those of you that were listening last year, that's just like Jake Browning was an exclusive rights-free agent for the Bengals last year for players in the college-free agent mold who only have one-year deals. The teams that have retained them for their rookie seasons, which the Bengals did with Camp Grandi, have not. more than just a restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent where that deal will be around a minimum salary for Grandi. We don't know the details of that deal yet as far as I know I haven't seen those anywhere, but it's not like he will be a very expensive player.

Starting point is 00:11:06 Drew Sample signed his three-year extension last year, or I guess re-signed for three years more accurately last year. That deal has no prorated money on it. And so if at any point the Bengals felt comfortable to go a different direction at tight end, that contract is literally free for the Bengals to get out of. Wouldn't expect to see that at this point. Drew Sample, I think we'll be back with the team. And then there's Santa McGlachlan who I think a lot of fans are very interested in James and seeing what he can do.

Starting point is 00:11:37 But even if he is able to get on the field in 2025, you're talking about really three tight-end threes. maybe Drew Sample's a tight end too. And that's what exists on the Bengals right now for 20, 25. And that's not great. That's probably worse than not great. It's probably being a little bit generous for what they've got on the roster right now. I mean, and what they lose is that versatile piece in Eric, all like you talked about. They do it all piece that really changed the offense because of his versatility and ability to do different things when he was in the game.

Starting point is 00:12:15 Yeah, it's so interesting to me because they had neglected a tight end, at least on the surface for years. You and I both know, and we'll probably get into these before the end of the podcast, but they've been interested in tight ends early in drafts. And they just didn't pull the trigger. And so it led to this arena where it's like, oh, they haven't drafted at a tight ends in a true sample. And then they finally do. And it's a guy in Eric All that I know. they were ecstatic about. I know the coaching staff was like, oh, man, this is the value. Like,

Starting point is 00:12:49 it lines up, right, because of the injury history. He falls to round four instead of round two, around one. Because he can do it all. And when you're looking for those guys, they go. And they go quicker than maybe you'd like at times, especially when you have other needs. And so I'll get into that. But yeah, this is a, this is a tight end room that as of right now is, I haven't looked at every tight end room, full disclosure. But it's got to be one of the worst in the NFL. And that's nothing. That doesn't mean Drew Sample doesn't have his place.

Starting point is 00:13:23 I actually think he's valuable in his role. I think he's a guaranteed roster lock. Cam Grandi, after doing what he did, unless they do some unbelievable things at tight end, roster lock. I'm not sure Tanner McLaughlin is. this guy was inactive after they lost all. After they had these injuries at tight end and had to lean on Cam Grandi, it's not like McLaughlin had earned that trust.

Starting point is 00:13:49 So I think he's your tight end three right now. That was kind of a puzzling pick when they picked him. And even more so now, because I think it took him time and is still taking him time to get comfortable. Maybe he hits the ground running in your two. Who knows? But you can't bank on that. So tight end's a huge need. It is.

Starting point is 00:14:06 And that's the situation the Bengals are in now, knowing that Eric Al is out. Even if he had suffered the ACL and it was normal ACL reconstruction and all of those things, well, you'd still want to address the position. It wouldn't be as high because it'd be like, oh, well, you could resign Mike Gassiki until it all comes back, or you can sign a guy, or you could draft a guy late. I'm not sure you can do that.

Starting point is 00:14:36 Because injuries do happen. Can you imagine if Drew Sample got hurt? And then it's Cam Grady and Tanner McLaughlin. You're trying out there. The point is, is they have to address this position. Everyone's going to focus on the trenches and rightfully so. But the value, and we saw it with Eric All, the value of a guy that can be a physical blocker and be dynamic in the passing game, he was just starting to scratch the surface

Starting point is 00:15:00 there on that second part of it, that second element, and being the threat that, uh, that he could be and earning that trust from Joe Burrough. So I think they're going to be interested in tight end Jake and whether or not they address it early in the draft. They spend big money on it in free agency. I think that's kind of part of the market and where the available options are. We can get into that. But this is a huge loss. And I think they know the value of having a guy that can do both blocking and be dynamic in the passing game.

Starting point is 00:15:31 Yeah, I mean, they've now experienced it, even if they understood it theoretically before they had. Eric, all the experiential learning. I mean, most people can speak to this. Most people have understood something theoretically in their lives and then experience that thing. I've been like, oh, yeah, I see what you're talking about now. I've now lived that experience. I know what this means.

Starting point is 00:15:50 The Bengals have now lived that experience. They know what they haven't had there. And again, to your point, it's not like they haven't wanted to draft a tight end. They just haven't prioritized it over other things. And you go back to the draft a couple of years ago. when why am I blanking on a bunch of names right now here i got you Tucker craft is the name that i'm thinking of but there are certainly others that the bengals were interested in well yeah i mean it's we know they like Dalton kinkade he doesn't fall to them we know they like brock bowers not sure

Starting point is 00:16:22 they would have taken him over mims probably wouldn't have but didn't fall to them they definitely like sam lapporteur yeah prioritized miles murphy over him they definitely like tucker craft prioritized dj turner over him the Tucker craft one is the one to me where it's like, oh, guys, and it has nothing to do with DJ Turner. But like, it's not the 28th pick. It's the, what was it, the 60th pick? Or if you would have gotten that, good God. So like, they're, hopefully they learned that.

Starting point is 00:16:56 Like, it's okay. Like, for example, they had Tucker Kraft ahead of Darnell Washington on their board, like far ahead. They were never really going to pick Darnell. They weren't fans of certain guys, but the guys that they have been fans of, at least the ones that I know about, they've all hit or they've been really good. Like they've evaluated the position well. Like Eric Hall is a hit. They knew there was some risk there. But from a talent standpoint, like they evaluated it correctly.

Starting point is 00:17:22 And so will they do that this year? Obviously, we'll get into that. But I think that that's, it's good to bring up those names because I think they've gotten it right. Like they've liked all these guys that have basically worked out. I guess you could debate Don't Kincaid a little bit, but other than him. Yeah, I think the challenge is fine. Like in 2023, that draft class, we're like, oh, we're pretty sure they want a tight end.

Starting point is 00:17:48 And it would be, can they get one of these guys to fall? Or would they be willing to pull the trigger on Tucker Kraft in the second round? And Tucker Kraft ends up going in the middle of the third round of pick 78. Darno Washington, maybe they were never interested in him. That's its own problem, probably. Maybe they'd be interested in him now after the last couple of years. I mean, he's been a solid NFL player. He's not a dynamic receiver,

Starting point is 00:18:14 and that's what they were looking for at the time, a guy that could add to the receiving game as well. But we know they've had interest in the present. Craft is the one. Craft is the one that really... Craft is the one that I wanted. I mean... And Laporte is the other... Like, if they had taken the port of 28th overall,

Starting point is 00:18:29 no one questions that now like it's an awesome pick right you know and there were certainly those in the building that would have picked sam lapporteur at 28 and the lions that year some important people by the way in the building we're not talking about we're not talking about like the uh the chef or something here yeah we're not talking we're not even talking about like the strength coaches who are on the coaching staff but or james casey the tight ends coach like we're talking about important people Have we hinted enough? I think Mike Brown, obviously. He's kidding.

Starting point is 00:19:05 He's kidding. But probably not. Mike Brown knows the value of a tight end. He does, actually. He does. I know. Like legitimately. Bob Trumpy.

Starting point is 00:19:15 You don't got to tell me. It's right there in their history. Let's get into the options for the Bengals to acquire tight end talent this offseason, the free agency class. Not what you want. When you're in this position, the draft class may be a little bit of a different story. We'll dive into those options coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by game time.

Starting point is 00:19:38 Attending NFL games is an unforgettable experience. It brings fans together, whether it's the playoffs, whether it's the regular season, whether it's week one or the big game. And that's why game time is here for you, whether it's a sporting event, whether it is a concert, whether it's Billy Joel, coming to Paycor Stadium. this summer. It doesn't matter the event. It doesn't matter where the event is.

Starting point is 00:20:04 Game time is going to have you covered. And right now they have a new feature called GameTime Picks. It's going to make getting tickets for you so much easier. It filters out all of the fluff to show you the best deals at the event you want to go to so you don't have to waste any time and you can be efficient and take the guestwork out of buying tickets with GameTime. So download the GameTime app, create an account. Use code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase.

Starting point is 00:20:29 Terms apply. Again, creating an account, redeem code L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N-N-FL-Locked-N-FL-N-FL-N-FL-N-FL-E-L-T-L-E-L-T-L-E-L-T-E-L-E-L-T-E-N-E-L-T-E-E-N-E-T-E-E-N-E-T-E-E-N-E-E-R-E-E-E-J-E-E-E-E-S-E-E-E-E-E-S-E-E-E-E-E-S-E-E-E-E-E-S-E-E-E-E-E-S-E-E-E-E-E-E-S-E-E-E-E-E-S- even though Mike Kisicki's on there. The point is, I'm not sure that there's a ton of awesome options. But go ahead and tell me about how Jawan Johnson's going to save the Bengals. I was just going to try to tell you some of the tight ends have played at least as many snaps as a percentage of their offense as Mike Kassiki did for the Bengals. Mike Kiskeye played 46% of the Bengals snaps in 2024. These are the players that Equaled or exceeded that snapshot for their teams.

Starting point is 00:21:29 is Tyler Conklin played 75% of the snaps with the Jets. He'll be 30 coming off of a contract that paid him on average, $6.75 million per year for the Jets. He'll be a free agent. Zach Ertz, who's 35, played 66% of the snaps for the commanders, was making $3 million a year. If the Bengals were interested in Ertz for a year, I wouldn't hate it.

Starting point is 00:21:52 I'm going to be real with that one. If they could do one of their one-year tight-end deals and actually dip into a player over 30, over 30 years old for once with Zach Hertz. There's that option. Juan Johnson, you hinted at this one by saying his name. 64% of the snaps for the Saints. He's 29.

Starting point is 00:22:11 Austin Hooper played 52% of the snaps for the Patriots, 31. Tommy Trembal played 49.9% of the snaps for the Panthers. He's 25. And then after Gaseki, John Bates, 44% of the snaps for the commanders. A lot of two tight end stuff going on there, not a receiver. Mo Ali Cox,

Starting point is 00:22:29 44% for the Colts. Kyle Granson, 40% for the Colts, Johnny Munt, 39% for the Vikings, Jordan Aiken, 38.5% for the Browns. Any of these names standing out to you as potential free agent targets? I don't know much about most of these guys. Like, I'm going to have to dig into a lot of these guys. Yeah, you'd have to look, but the answer is no. The answer is no.

Starting point is 00:22:51 That doesn't mean they won't sign one of them. I'm not saying that. They very well could. But no one is like, oh, well, that's the guy that makes sense. Like, Zach Hertz already had his research, his bounce back. And if I'm him, I stay in Washington, assuming I'm not retiring. Why wouldn't you want to stay there where you're a big piece of that offense and, heck, led them in receiving this past week?

Starting point is 00:23:11 I think what this screams to me, Jake, is it sets the table for what is likely inevitable and something that our listeners and viewers should start to wrap their heads around. One, Mike Gisicki is going to try to get paid. Set it on the last day when I drove to Paycourt Stadium during, that snowstorm. Last day when everyone's there and all the firings happened, so it was what, January 6th, he's like, by the way, I didn't get paid after putting up all those numbers against Miami. They tagged me and then they didn't use me and then I had to take a $2 million deal with the Patriots. I want to get paid. He said he wants to stay here, but he wants to get paid.

Starting point is 00:23:48 And so when I hear those free agent names that you're rattling an offer, if I look at a free agent list, I just hear, chiching, chiching, because Mike Gassig is probably getting paid. and the Bengals probably shouldn't get into a bidding war with Mike Kassiki or for Mike Kisiki. But given, because he doesn't necessarily solve all your issues at tight end. It's not like he fills that. And so to me, what this screams is, oh, yeah, the Bengals are going to be in on tight ends early in this draft. And tight end is going to be in play early. Does it mean that they're taking one at 17, but I'm not ruling it out on January.

Starting point is 00:24:26 29th. Doesn't mean they're taking one in rounds two or three. But I would say it's pretty darn likely that by the end of day two, certainly early day three like they did last year, but I'd say by the end of day two, tight end is probably as of today as big of a target for them in the draft, assuming they don't sign one of those guys and think that they're the solution. And you just read the names. I don't think any of them, including Mike Gisicki, can be your solution at least on paper. So they're probably going to have to draft a guy relatively early. Probably the best option is the guy at the top of the list is Tyler Conklin.

Starting point is 00:25:04 If you're looking for a solid all around tight end, I think he is a solid all around tight end. If you look at the PFF list of free agents, they would have you believe as Drumon Johnson. I don't know if he's giving you the kind of in-line ability that you would want. he can catch a ball yeah cocklin a bit of an all-rounder played a lot for the jets austin hooper will be cheaper but they've passed on austin hooper several times now now he's 31 all he's a passing guy too where like they can run good routes but are you asking hooper to really like i like i don't know yeah johnson's like that like a passing game guy like that's what i that's what my gisicky is yeah and and that's what's so tough that's what's tough about it so i it's

Starting point is 00:25:53 supposed to be a good tight end class. I'm just trying to prepare people and really hammer it home because I think that it's in play. It doesn't mean they will, right? But if you had eyed, think about it, if you had eyed all these guys and identified them and then not pick them, whether it's Laporta, whether it's Tucker Kraft, obviously the guys in the first round I mentioned like Bowers, but you were right on all of them, aren't you going to be at least a little more willing?

Starting point is 00:26:20 Like you would trade DJ Turner for Tucker Kraft right now and you wouldn't have think about it, even with the cornerback questions with the Bengals. I wouldn't think about it, would you? I would think about it. Oh, man. I would think about it. Because of a physician? Well, because if you're creating a need to solve another need, which is kind of how it works

Starting point is 00:26:38 in a player for player trade. But if you were to trade DJ Turner, then all you have in the cornerback room that you can really count on because you got Dax coming off the injury and you hope he's okay, but then you, you know, you just got Cam Taylor, Britt, and fig Newton, and then you got to figure the rest out. Cam Taylor, Britt, Newton, Ivy. Yeah, you got to figure the rest out. And Dax's coming off of, no, I mean, I get it. I just, you're figuring the rest out even with DJ to me.

Starting point is 00:27:09 I guess that's the point. Yeah, you're making it, you know, you're thinning yourself. I would think about it, it's all I'm saying. Like, I'm trying to work through the thought process right now. The answer would be, the answer would be. We'll go sign a corner or go draft one. And then you know you have Tucker Kraft who is the guy. The point is if they take a tight end in the second round,

Starting point is 00:27:29 if they get it right, it's going to be okay. Don't fret Bengals fans. But they do have to get it right. And I do think it's going to be in play. So just prepare yourselves. Tite-in class supposedly good. Daniel Jeremiah have multiple tight ends in his top 50. I don't know that I agree on all of them.

Starting point is 00:27:46 Elijah Arroyo down at the Senior Bowl having himself. a great start to the week. Harold Bannon, I think, having a good start to the week down there. Tyler Warren from Penn State, a heck of a lot of fun to watch. Colston Loveland, a good athlete if you're looking for someone more in that receiving mold. He's young. He's not even 21 years old yet. Showed willingness to block in the little bit of film that I've watched on, Colston Loveland from Michigan. So there's some players in this draft class at the tight end position. A whole lot of them in the mid-rounds, I think, in particular.

Starting point is 00:28:16 There are going to be a lot of tight ends that we're talking about. this draft season and we'll have to get a feel for which of them are the best fit in which round, but there will be options of that position in the draft. I do think they have to sign a veteran. I don't think you can go into the draft with what they have on the roster. For sure, but I don't think that there's the solution. I think it's the same way the other way. I don't think you can come out of the draft with just one of those veterans and feel good either.

Starting point is 00:28:47 You know, it just sucks. The injury sucks because you could, if you had all coming back and you side Jordan Aiken's or you just re-sign Gisicki and then it's fine. You go Gisickey, Brandy, sample, McLaughlin if he takes a step, and then you have Eric all coming back at some point and you feel a little better about it. But tough situation. They've been really good, to their credit, at identifying the one-year tight-end deals and finding guys that can work with them.

Starting point is 00:29:16 The one miss, obviously, Irv Smith, that one didn't work out, but worked out pretty well with Mike Aseki, worked out pretty well with Haydenhurst. They got a lot of DJ Uzama. They did try to get Tyler Conklin to the same year that Uzama signed. And the Jets had gotten Conklin, and then Uzama decided to go there to like a silly person. Yeah. The jet signed all the tight ends that year. Yeah. Didn't make sense.

Starting point is 00:29:45 So the Bengals have their work cut out for them there. I do think they're pretty good at figuring this position out and finding ways to make it work there. But they imagine if they like really took it seriously and like really invested in it. They could potentially transform the offense around one of those players. Like, you know, Brock Bauer's fantasy last year, transformative kind of player right there.

Starting point is 00:30:10 Well, even Tucker Kraft, you know, like someone like that. I'm not saying him. they're not going to be able to trade for all that. But if you found him in round two this year, I would take it all day. You know, I would take it all day long. And free agency will certainly color our perception of the Bengals needs going into the draft. Hopefully those needs are for impact players that potentially upgrade positions

Starting point is 00:30:33 rather than a dire need for starters or a desperate need for a tackle, which we all felt going into the 2024 draft because Tident is clearly the second biggest need on offense at this point behind guard. and both of those positions are in dire need of some talent on this roster. At this point, before any of these off-season machinations and maneuvering has begun as Duke Tobin is down in the Senior Bowl, getting a good look at some of these tight ends that we're going to be talking about in this draft class. But that's going to do it for this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast.

Starting point is 00:31:07 We'll have more for you tomorrow, probably some Senior Bowl commentary. Duke Tobin down there, we will have some. some Duke Tobin quotes to talk about, most likely, some Bengals veterans to talk about. So until then, thanks for listening to this episode of the lockdown Bengals podcast. Ho day and have a good one.

Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Cincinnati Bengals lose Erick All for 2025, elevating offseason need at tight end

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.