Why we don't need a TE

[*ochocincos*]

(09-16-2021, 08:39 AM)fredtoast Wrote: If TEs were really unstoppable "mismatches" for every defense then there would have been more than 3 that averaged at least 50 receiving yards a game last year.

It is not easy to find a All-Pro/Hall of Fame level TE like Gronk/Kelce/Kittle.  And if you don't have one of those you don't have a receiving weapon as good as a WR.  We already have Uzomah.  If he was targeted more often then he would have receiving numbers equal to pretty much any TE other than the very elite.  He doen't have low numbers because he can't get open.  He has low numbers because he is usually the #4 option behind 3 VERY GOOD wide receivers.  I just don't believe Bengal coaches are upset because they can't take more targets away from Higgins/Boyd/Chase in order to throw to a TE.

Kittle would have very likely been there had he not only played half a season last year.
He had 634 yards in just 8 games off 48 rec. Had he played a full season, it likely would have been his 3rd consecutive 1000+ yard season.
I think Kittle, Kelce, and Waller are 3 guys you can easily compare to a really good WR.
I liked Pitts enough to think he'll be in that category within a few years, but time will tell.
I think Hockenson and possibly Fant can also be in that category, but they aren't quite there yet.

Gronk arguably is still in the elite category too, although he now has more competition for targets between Godwin, Evans, and AB, plus he's older.

So is a good receiving TE "needed" in the Bengals offense? Arguably no given the talent of Boyd, Higgins, Chase, and Mixon.
But having a legit pass-catching threat at TE to go along with those guys would, theoretically, really boost this offense that much further.