Cincinnati Bengals: Taking stock of team’s young talent

Tyler Kroft

2017 stats: 36 receptions (54 targets), 351 receiving yards, 5 TDs

2017 Pro Football Focus Edge Grades (747 snaps): 46.6 overall, 60.7 receiving, 43.4 run block, 48.5 pass blocking

Entering the season, one of my biggest worries for the team revolved around the tight end spot. Tyler Eifert is a dynamic presence, but the man cannot stay healthy — something he proved yet again only a couple of weeks into the season.

The real worry for me (since I practically assumed an injury was coming at some point) was that there didn’t appear to be any sort of useful players behind him. Kroft and C.J. Uzomah had been around for a couple years already but neither had made themselves seem like more than roster fodder entering the year; with the quick Eifert exit though, at least one would have a chance to step up.

Turns out it was Kroft who was given the chance, and he actually has done pretty well. He was targeted at least five times in five different games, and he caught at least four passes in all four of the games he played in the month of October. His showing wouldn’t be confused for a healthy Eifert, but he has shown himself to be a decent No. 2 pass catching option at the position.

Regardless of his best usage though, his performance opens up Cincinnati’s options moving forward. If they think his performance this season is a decent bar for their tight end position going forward — or believe Kroft can reach another level — they may decide that it is time to move away from the injury-ravaged Eifert (whose contract is up this offseason, by the way).