How important is a TE

[bengals1969]

(01-30-2024, 03:12 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Name the 4-best TEs in the NFL: One could make a great argument for LAPORTA, KITTLE, KELCE, ANDREWS.
What do they have in common? They all played in the conference Championship game

When discussion turns to TE around here one of the quick arguments is: A TE is not a focal point of a Taylor offense.

Yet:
UZOMAH had a career year the one year he spent w/ JB and Zac

HURST restarted his career in Cincy w/ JB and Zac

HUDSON went from a garbage journeyman to a viable part of our offense

I think we currently have 0 TEs under contract and that's not a bad thing IMO

Many are suggesting Tee is priority#1 in the off-season, but money/draft capital may be better spent getting a stud TE.

FA market is kinda thin at the top. He have the likes of Schultz, Fant, and Gesecki.

The draft has a stud TE (Bowers) and if he makes it to 18 he should be the pick

Then we have "rebuilding teams" that may entertain trade

Hockenson is pricey, but could likely be had from Minny as they clear cap

Pitts is being wasted in ATL, maybe the new regime there would prefer picks

Bears would most likely move KMET

What are other's thoughts on TE?

I don't understand Bengals drafting of late.  Knowing Boyd, Williams and Tee were very likely goners, why not draft their replacements during the 2023 draft?  A TE can be part of the Tee/Boyd replacement since highly unlikely we draft "the guy", especially since there were so many highly touted TE's.  
In fact why not trade Tee for a haul of draft picks?

Williams replacement?  I don't get it.  
Backend was in crisis last season before the draft, so they tended to it.  Still that number 1 pick should have addressed the upcoming 2024 problems.

Look what KC did when their #1 WR got too pricy.  Headed to the Swift Bowl again.