Tight Ends

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(10-03-2024, 03:59 PM)Eraserhead Wrote: If he can stay healthy,, I think All is going to wind up being the best all-around TE we've had since Holman.

Definitely possible and once Gesicki is gone or gets injured All should get some deeper routes to start impressing in the passing game.

Already is a fantastic blocker.

[BacknDaDey]

Do ya'll think that the team will eventually waive or trade Tanner Hudson before the trade deadline? For me, there is no difference between McLachlan and Hudson except for years of experience. I think McLachlan can give you what Hudson gives you.

[*ochocincos*]

(10-03-2024, 05:21 PM)BacknDaDey Wrote: Do ya'll think that the team will eventually waive or trade Tanner Hudson before the trade deadline?  For me, there is no difference between McLachlan and Hudson except for years of experience.  I think McLachlan can give you what Hudson gives you.

Hard to tell without seeing McLachlan in a game really.

What I think the Bengals should be doing is giving Hudson another week or two to mend as an inactive and make McLachlan active and give him a handful of snaps on offense to see how he does.
If McLachlan looks ok in those snaps, maybe consider a trade of Hudson to a TE-needy team.
I don't see any reason to cut Hudson though because TEs usually get dinged up and it helps to have someone like Hudson who has succeeded to a certain extent with the Bengals just last year. Proven commodity in the Cincy offense.

[ERIC1]

(10-03-2024, 05:21 PM)BacknDaDey Wrote: Do ya'll think that the team will eventually waive or trade Tanner Hudson before the trade deadline?  For me, there is no difference between McLachlan and Hudson except for years of experience.  I think McLachlan can give you what Hudson gives you.

watch the tapes on McLachian..there is a ton of diffrence.. Mac is a far better route runner..reminds me of a Gronk-Kelce hybrid

[casear2727]

(10-04-2024, 10:29 AM)ERIC1 Wrote: watch the tapes on McLachian..there is a ton of diffrence.. Mac is a far better route runner..reminds me of a Gronk-Kelce hybrid

I am so happy we kept McLachlan to develop.  Im not sure about the Gronk comp?  He isnt that great of a blocker but probably better than Kelce.  As to his speed and receiving ability he matches Kelce's measurables, but he does have short arms.

[XsandOs]

(10-04-2024, 10:08 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Hard to tell without seeing McLachlan in a game really.

What I think the Bengals should be doing is giving Hudson another week or two to mend as an inactive and make McLachlan active and give him a handful of snaps on offense to see how he does.
If McLachlan looks ok in those snaps, maybe consider a trade of Hudson to a TE-needy team.
I don't see any reason to cut Hudson though because TEs usually get dinged up and it helps to have someone like Hudson who has succeeded to a certain extent with the Bengals just last year. Proven commodity in the Cincy offense.

Agreed.

McLachlan is being developed as a Flex TE, so it is critical that he is mentally 100% with the playbook (aside from NFL physicality prep). That is where Hudson's value is - allowing for development of McLachlan. Also, Gisecki being a one year rental, Hudson will most probably be re-signed next year.

I don't see us carrying 5 TEs next year. It may look like Sample as a pure in-line Y, All as the Hybrid/Move and backup to Sample, McLachlan as Flex with Hudson as backup. 

BFritz had suggested in another thread to trade for Mayer. Raiders would probably want All or Sample, since Bowers is their Flex. 

If we carry 5 TEs next year, I could see room for Mayer. If we can develop All and Mayer as the next Gronk/Kittle - a true Hybrid (using the term to denote in-line, Flex and Move combined). That would be incredible to run a three TE set as base offense (one Flex), which would be essentially a jumbo run set and a 4 receiver set, simultaneously.    

Think of the possibilities that set would create. Its like an obese 85 year old who lost 100 lbs ........ soooo many wrinkles (apologies in advance if deemed offensive.)

[*Synric*]

(10-04-2024, 12:16 PM)casear2727 Wrote: I am so happy we kept McLachlan to develop.  Im not sure about the Gronk comp?  He isnt that great of a blocker but probably better than Kelce.  As to his speed and receiving ability he matches Kelce's measurables, but he does have short arms.

If we are being completely honest though Tanner Hudson is an excellent player comparison for Tanner McLachlan.

Similar builds tall but short armed narrow frames. Similar developmental backgrounds switching from wide receiver to tight end early in college. Similar play styles underneath receivers with good feel for leverage and zone coverages...

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Yeah, I liked the McLachlan pick a lot and still do after how he looked in Preseason. Happy we are developing him and with Hudson
kind of being in the doghouse because of that fumble I could see us trading him and maybe picking up Michael Mayer who had great
production in college. McLachlan does compare well to Hudson and is a bit younger.

[*ochocincos*]

(10-04-2024, 12:51 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Agreed.

McLachlan is being developed as a Flex TE, so it is critical that he is mentally 100% with the playbook (aside from NFL physicality prep). That is where Hudson's value is - allowing for development of McLachlan. Also, Gisecki being a one year rental, Hudson will most probably be re-signed next year.

I don't see us carrying 5 TEs next year. It may look like Sample as a pure in-line Y, All as the Hybrid/Move and backup to Sample, McLachlan as Flex with Hudson as backup. 

BFritz had suggested in another thread to trade for Mayer. Raiders would probably want All or Sample, since Bowers is their Flex. 

If we carry 5 TEs next year, I could see room for Mayer. If we can develop All and Mayer as the next Gronk/Kittle - a true Hybrid (using the term to denote in-line, Flex and Move combined). That would be incredible to run a three TE set as base offense (one Flex), which would be essentially a jumbo run set and a 4 receiver set, simultaneously.    

Think of the possibilities that set would create. Its like an obese 85 year old who lost 100 lbs ........ soooo many wrinkles (apologies in advance if deemed offensive.)

We shouldn't be worried about next year.
Gesicki and Hudson are in contract years.
If All and McLachlan blossom enough this year, they will let at least one dude walk if not both.
I do think they'll still have 4 TEs next year though, so if both walk, they'll add another TE in the draft or FA.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(10-04-2024, 02:02 PM)ochocincos Wrote: We shouldn't be worried about next year.
Gesicki and Hudson are in contract years.
If All and McLachlan blossom enough this year, they will let at least one dude walk if not both.
I do think they'll still have 4 TEs next year though, so if both walk, they'll add another TE in the draft or FA.

I love that we are actually using TE's in the passing game this year. Agree, we should keep 4 next year with Gesicki and Hudson both 
maybe moving on with All being the future and McLachlan developing. Sample is signed for years.

[XsandOs]

(10-04-2024, 01:59 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yeah, I liked the McLachlan pick a lot and still do after how he looked in Preseason. Happy we are developing him and with Hudson
kind of being in the doghouse because of that fumble I could see us trading him and maybe picking up Michael Mayer who had great
production in college. McLachlan does compare well to Hudson and is a bit younger.

Mayer would be an intriguing chess piece, if the price is right and a roster spot can be opened. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(10-04-2024, 02:14 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Mayer would be an intriguing chess piece, if the price is right and a roster spot can be opened. 

Completely agree, don't like that he supposedly quit on the Raiders but that team is weird and Mayer is a Bengals fan and Cincy is where he grew up.

[*ochocincos*]

(10-04-2024, 02:14 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Mayer would be an intriguing chess piece, if the price is right and a roster spot can be opened. 

They'd have to be willing to trade Mayer for a Day 3 pick for it to be worthwhile for the Bengals.

All is looking like a well-rounded TE and Sample is the designated blocker, so Mayer could end being TE3 or TE4 when all is said and done.
Or maybe Hudson with like a 6th rounder for Mayer.

[casear2727]

(10-04-2024, 01:24 PM)Synric Wrote: If we are being completely honest though Tanner Hudson is an excellent player comparison for Tanner McLachlan.

Similar builds tall but short armed narrow frames. Similar developmental backgrounds switching from wide receiver to tight end early in college. Similar play styles underneath receivers with good feel for leverage and zone coverages...

I wouldnt say "excellent", but it is not a wrong comp.  McLachlan is more athletic and heavier coming out of college than Hudson. He is a better blocker.  I have high hopes for him. 

[*ochocincos*]

(10-04-2024, 01:24 PM)Synric Wrote: If we are being completely honest though Tanner Hudson is an excellent player comparison for Tanner McLachlan.

Similar builds tall but short armed narrow frames. Similar developmental backgrounds switching from wide receiver to tight end early in college. Similar play styles underneath receivers with good feel for leverage and zone coverages...

I haven't seen enough of McLachlan specifically as a Bengal, but I can say Gesicki and Hudson look more like WRs out there catching passes than the other TEs they've had since Eifert.
Most TEs look kinda clunky as receivers. Even Gronk, who was a great receiving TE, didn't look the smoothest, shiftiest, or fastest out there.

Once McLachlan has the playbook down, I want the Bengals to find a way to get him some snaps, even if it's later in the year.
Practice snaps don't always translate to real games when defense is going full speed and not on your team.

[casear2727]

(10-04-2024, 02:02 PM)ochocincos Wrote: We shouldn't be worried about next year.
Gesicki and Hudson are in contract years.
If All and McLachlan blossom enough this year, they will let at least one dude walk if not both.
I do think they'll still have 4 TEs next year though, so if both walk, they'll add another TE in the draft or FA.

If McLachlan develops, they surely drop Hudson.  Why do you think they would draft another TE if they keep Gesicki?  We rarely have four TEs.  

[*ochocincos*]

(10-04-2024, 03:39 PM)casear2727 Wrote: If McLachlan develops, they surely drop Hudson.  Why do you think they would draft another TE if they keep Gesicki?  We rarely have four TEs.  

They may have kept just 3 on the roster in 2021 and 2022 and brought up another when injuries happen, but that was also when they were very heavy 11 personnel.
Last year they had 4 a good amount.

2023 - Smith, Sample, Hudson, Wilcox
2022 - Hurst, Sample, Asiasi, Wilcox
2021 - Uzomah, Sample, Wilcox, Schreck

With team looking like it wants to use more 12 personnel and more emphasis on TEs under new OC, I can see justification to carry 4 TEs at all times moving forward.

If McLachlan develops, but how long will that take? It could be the whole year.
Once the offseason hits, Hudson and/or Gesicki could be gone given they will hit FA.

I'm not confident they would keep Gesicki or he would even want to stay. 
If Bengals start wanting to give more snaps to All, it might cut into Gesicki's usage.
Would Gesicki want to stay around if he's a TE3?
He also is only making $2.5 mill this season. He may look to cash in next offseason for a team willing to pay more.
Bengals haven't put good $$ into TE under the Taylor era. Hurst, Smith, and Gesicki all under $4 mill.
The most $$ they put into a TE was Uzomah, which was only $6.1 mill APY.

If they re-sign Gesicki, I doubt they'd bother adding another TE in the offseason.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(10-04-2024, 02:49 PM)casear2727 Wrote: I wouldnt say "excellent", but it is not a wrong comp.  McLachlan is more athletic and heavier coming out of college than Hudson. He is a better blocker.  I have high hopes for him. 

Agree Casear, I also have high hopes for McLachlan and yes, he is a much better blocker than Hudson already.

[casear2727]

(10-04-2024, 04:05 PM)ochocincos Wrote: They may have kept just 3 on the roster in 2021 and 2022 and brought up another when injuries happen, but that was also when they were very heavy 11 personnel.
Last year they had 4 a good amount.

2023 - Smith, Sample, Hudson, Wilcox
2022 - Hurst, Sample, Asiasi, Wilcox
2021 - Uzomah, Sample, Wilcox, Schreck

With team looking like it wants to use more 12 personnel and more emphasis on TEs under new OC, I can see justification to carry 4 TEs at all times moving forward.

If McLachlan develops, but how long will that take? It could be the whole year.
Once the offseason hits, Hudson and/or Gesicki could be gone given they will hit FA.

I'm not confident they would keep Gesicki or he would even want to stay. 
If Bengals start wanting to give more snaps to All, it might cut into Gesicki's usage.
Would Gesicki want to stay around if he's a TE3?
He also is only making $2.5 mill this season. He may look to cash in next offseason for a team willing to pay more.
Bengals haven't put good $$ into TE under the Taylor era. Hurst, Smith, and Gesicki all under $4 mill.
The most $$ they put into a TE was Uzomah, which was only $6.1 mill APY.

If they re-sign Gesicki, I doubt they'd bother adding another TE in the offseason.

Good stuff, but there is some context to be added.

2021 Schreck was a PS guy, he did get into one game that year.
2022 Sample went down with a knee injury.  We also lost Clark Harris and Wilcox was our backup LS.
2023 Smith turned out to be garbage and had to call up Hudson from the PS.

Usually if we draft a guy, he makes the team.  Keeping Gesicki with 2 other drafted guys from this year would be 4 guys that would likely NOT go to the PS, unless of course they want to develop him ala McLachlan....?

[*ochocincos*]

(10-04-2024, 05:20 PM)casear2727 Wrote: Good stuff, but there is some context to be added.

2021 Schreck was a PS guy, he did get into one game that year.
2022 Sample went down with a knee injury.  We also lost Clark Harris and Wilcox was our backup LS.
2023 Smith turned out to be garbage and had to call up Hudson from the PS.

Usually if we draft a guy, he makes the team.  Keeping Gesicki with 2 other drafted guys from this year would be 4 guys that would likely NOT go to the PS, unless of course they want to develop him ala McLachlan....?

Yes, I get that.
I'm just not trying to make the assumption that Gesicki is retained.
If Gesicki is retained, no new TE added.
If he and Hudson both depart in FA, I expect a 4th TE to be added either in FA or the draft.