5 years $46 mil for TE Travis Kelce 1yr ago. Do Bengals pay Tyler Eifert that?

[HarleyDog]

Eifert is a bad investment. God I love the guy and his talent when he is on the field. However, he spends too much time on the sideline. His next concussion or two could be his last. Not a fan of pouring cash down the drain to deal with for years to come. Yes, Mike B. will do what he does and sign him to a ridiculous deal. However, let's not forget we play the experts at cheap shots twice a year who are famous for going to the head. Pittsburgh will go after him and they will try to end his career.

[phil413]

Also consider that if Eifert is healthy and has a great season that TE was the lowest franchise tag positionally at 9.7M. They used it on MJ when they had to, it isn't ideal but it's insurance if a deal isn't struck. They don't have to, nor will they give him big guaranteed money.
.though all Bengal dollars are guaranteed. I don't mind the Howard pick if it's a plan to go TE heavy. More likely they expect the other two and a mid rounder in a deep class to be the future.

[*Nately120*]

Eifert wouldn't be the only TE in recent memory we drafted in the 1st and then were rather ho-hum about seeing him go. Perhaps we can draft that OJ guy and hope he breaks the streak?

[Whatever]

(03-28-2017, 09:06 PM)Joelist Wrote: I think if they are dumb enough to let Eifert hit the open market he is going to get paid to the tune of second to Gronk. 

Our offense needs that pass catching TE to operate properly in the red zone. And I don't trust Howard to be drafted and then be that player - anytime collegiate sources question whether a player truly has the desire to play football my red flag goes up.

The FT number for a TE is pretty reasonable, though.  I can easily see him getting tagged next year.

[Joelist]

(03-29-2017, 12:16 AM)Whatever Wrote: The FT number for a TE is pretty reasonable, though.  I can easily see him getting tagged next year.

If they don't get him signed they need to tag him - like they needed to tag Whit. 

[Joelist]

(03-28-2017, 11:48 PM)Nately120 Wrote: Eifert wouldn't be the only TE in recent memory we drafted in the 1st and then were rather ho-hum about seeing him go.  Perhaps we can draft that OJ guy and hope he breaks the streak?

Remember Gresham never panned out. Eifert already has. 

[*Go Cards*]

If he stays healthy tag him and if he stays healthy two years in a row pay him.

He is great when he plays.

[TKUHL]

Just draft OJ or even Njoku, use 2 TE sets like we used to and tag Eifert next year if he stays healthy. At least we will have two great weapons (when healthy) for the next 2 years. I think Dalton benefits more having big TE targets than a speedy WR. Anyone know how Zamp values the TE position? I know Eiferts been hurt but I don't recall him using 2 TE sets much.

Who knows his injury issues might give us some leverage to get a deal done before he hits FA. Try to wrap him up this year if possible with some sort of team friendly injury clauses. To be honest I think Eifert will retire within the next 3-4 years anyway.

[wolfkaosaun]

I want Eifert resigned. Don't get me wrong. He is a VERY good talent.

But his injuries have been concerning and you can't give guaranteed money to someone like that. Maybe you can write something like that in the contract about being healthy. But he's been injured a ton.

We've been hurt by the injury bug quite a few times. Sure. It happens to every team. But we lost Marvin Jones after he had a 10 TD season. We barely had Eifert last season after he had a 13 TD season.

I wouldn't pay Eifert elite money, because he hasn't earned it.

Sure, the small sample size has been great. But when you miss 26 games in 3 years, you only played in 22 games. And he didn't even finish all 22 games.

He's averaging playing 7 games a year these past 3 years. That doesn't earn you elite money.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(03-29-2017, 12:34 AM)Go Cards Wrote: If he stays healthy tag him and if he stays healthy two years in a row pay him.

He is great when he plays.

This pretty much neatly sums it up for me.

[Joelist]

As stated I have reservations about OJ Howard. Any time I see this in a scouting report:

"Scouts question his competitive nature."

"Appears passive."

My red flag goes up.

[TKUHL]

I know he's another injury prone TE but we can draft Jake Butt in the 4th if he's still there. He will be ready when Eifert walks well hobbles to another team.

[Atomic Orange]

I honestly don't see the red zone monster lasting another 2 years. He doesn't know how to land and it isn't something that can just be taught now. He's clumsy.

I saw the same kind of kids back in the day when i use to ski/bmx/skate. They couldn't wipe out so to speak.

I'm good with the proposed tag option^ .. i'm not in any hurry to see the Bengals pay his retirement fund and by all means we need a backup plan now.

[BengalsBong]

I like Tyler Eifert the WR much better then I like Tyler Eifert the TE. You can line him up at the TE spot just don't ask the guy to block coming off of back surgery. We got Kroft and Uzomah that can block and help out the OT this year line Eifert up in the slot at WR he is a mismatch just about anywhere you line him up. I would re-sign him for the right money but I would not play him as a traditional TE. As for drafting OJ I am not against it but we need a pass rusher more then we need another TE right now. Let CJ Ozomah take over the number one TE spot and draft a guy to fill the last TE spot late in the draft.

[*SHRacerX*]

(03-28-2017, 04:11 PM)depthchart Wrote: Leonard Fournette gone for sure and Solomon Thomas likely gone before pick 9.
I do think the Bengals would take Solomon Thomas but all indications are he won't be there.
Derek Barnett, maybe, but would likely rotate with Michael Johnson and many Scouts consider Barnett to not be a sure thing with limited moves plus less inside value than Solomon Thomas.
Using 2 linebackers in Nickel packages a lot with Minter signing may mean no Reuben Foster as draft pick.
Lafell with 1,000 yard potential may mean no Corey Davis.
2 starting Safeties in the fold may make them wait on Drafting another.

Letting Tyler Eifert walk may net a 3rd round Compensatory pick.
Recent ankle and back surgeries for Eifert.
Nearly $10 million per year likely to extend Eifert in new market even with injury history.

* Brace yourselves because the more I think about this the more I think the pick will be OJ Howard.
   A team picking before the Bengals and taking Howard could be the only way it doesn't happen.

Howard is an amazing talent, and this is a question the Bengals will absolutely have to be asking themselves. 

Eifert would deserve the next contract if he is able to prove his health this season.  We already know when healthy that he is also an amazing talent.  If he can show he is 100% healthy and contribute all season, I think he will have earned the second contract and be a franchise cornerstone.  

Barnett has fallen out of favor with some here and some national scouts due to his "limited moves", but the thing about Barnett is even when teams knew about him, and game-planned for him, he still "got home".  A guy like that on this front four could be a huge addition.  This defense stubbornly sticks with the front four to generate pressure and rarely blitzes.  Without a significant upgrade at the RDE position, I think we still see a mean game of paddy-cake when the opposition goes maximum protection.

This early in the first round, the best values (if they are rated similarly) are the QBs, WRs, and pass-rushers because they command the most money in free agency.  I guess you can include CBs in that.  The extra year before they hit free agency for a first round pick is a HUGE advantage to the club on those premium-priced positions.

If Barnett is there, I think they take him.  I don't think he, Garrett, Allen, or Thomas will be...then the question becomes (if there is no trade back partner), do they take Davis or Ross at WR or a talent like Howard?  For this offense, I would rather have Ross or Davis.  But that is just this offense.  If I was the Patriots, or any number of teams that run even 3 TE sets?  I would take Howard. 

[*SHRacerX*]

(03-29-2017, 02:19 AM)Joelist Wrote: As stated I have reservations about OJ Howard. Any time I see this in a scouting report:

"Scouts question his competitive nature."

"Appears passive."

My red flag goes up.

I think this guy is actually being undervalued.  He only had modest production at Bama because they didn't really use him very much.  He could have played for another team and had ridiculous numbers and been selected even higher.  I would argue that his lack of wear and tear (a common problem it seems for many Bama players) makes him an even better selection.  

I still want Ross more than any offensive weapon, then Davis.  

[Crowe]

(03-28-2017, 04:11 PM)depthchart Wrote: Leonard Fournette gone for sure and Solomon Thomas likely gone before pick 9.
I do think the Bengals would take Solomon Thomas but all indications are he won't be there.
Derek Barnett, maybe, but would likely rotate with Michael Johnson and many Scouts consider Barnett to not be a sure thing with limited moves plus less inside value than Solomon Thomas.
Using 2 linebackers in Nickel packages a lot with Minter signing may mean no Reuben Foster as draft pick.
Lafell with 1,000 yard potential may mean no Corey Davis.
2 starting Safeties in the fold may make them wait on Drafting another.

Letting Tyler Eifert walk may net a 3rd round Compensatory pick.
Recent ankle and back surgeries for Eifert.
Nearly $10 million per year likely to extend Eifert in new market even with injury history.

* Brace yourselves because the more I think about this the more I think the pick will be OJ Howard.
   A team picking before the Bengals and taking Howard could be the only way it doesn't happen.

I like Eiftert and what he brings, but his injury history alone should keep his price down. I'm all for resigning him to a 3-4 deal, but it would have to come with some type of injury clause and if someone wants to pay him top dollar, let him walk, too many injuries to pay him top dollar.

[depthchart]

No doubt they could draft virtually any position and upgrade the team in some way. Even say drafting safety Malik Hooker and giving less playing time to a current starter.

Which player is the most Transformative is the question?
All players help but who Transforms?

Offensively, the team thrives with a healthy stud TE over the middle and in the Red Zone, so ensuring we have one in OJ Howard could put a Stamp on the Offense.
Does a speedier WR outside that gets say 1,100 yards instead of Lafell's roughly 900 help Dalton more?
Will the Bengals recent success getting mid round receivers to pan out and Lafell being serviceable have them looking for a mid round WR with speed instead of using the 1st round pick? Develop Cody Core for situational deep threat plays and search for another Marvin Jones type mid rounds.

Does a Derek Barnett Transform the way a Myles Garrett would or is he more of a Luxury pick that would be nice to have?
The Bengals ask Michael Johnson to set the edge, watch the lanes for the run while engaged and even fall back in Zone pass coverage at times. The Bengals may not see him as Bench material. Derek Barnett may end up being more of a situational pass rush specialist which is needed but he plays best when standing more upright to get around a blocker in an all out pass rush while disengaged from the blocker. Can he handle being engaged by NFL left tackles well enough to play more downs or is he a needed rotational pass rush specialist that helps but doesn't Transform?

[Beaker]

Eifert's injury history alone precludes him from getting top dollar in FA. He should get a fair market value offer with incentives for playing time achieved. Anything else would be an irresponsible contract offer from the Bengals. People will scream if he walks like they did for Whitworth, but in this case, I have no problem if some other team wants to make him the highest paid TE in the NFL.

[Socal Bengals fan]

After Eifert has another 10 plus td season this year, I expect the Bengals to sign him to an extension this off-season. Eifert is that damn good . Yes he is injury prone but his potential is through the roof