In the first and second rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, I projected that the Bengals would solve critical needs brought about my the upcoming free agency market. As an elite team with a rapidly approaching doomsday clock to the date where elite quarterback Joe Burrow‘s massive contract goes cap critical, Cincinnati will be suffering major cap casualties to their team over the next several seasons. Without a doubt, the best way to maintain an elite roster is to strike gold during the second and third days of the NFL Draft.
I like to throw in a certain disclaimer whenever I talk about the NFL Draft or free agency: making decisions on rosters is generally a reactive game and therefore, it is much more difficult to make predictions the more time passes. The later you get into the draft, the more drift occurs due to unpredictable decisions. If Cincinnati makes it to the third round and an elite wide receiver is still available, predictions should go out the window as the team makes the best decision that they can in the moment.
Cincinnati Bengals Resolve A Major Headache Position in the Third Round
While I made my predictions for the first two rounds based on cap casualties, the third round will fill a void that Cincinnati has left gaping since the 2021. While the offense has generally been regarded as one of the strongest units in the NFL, Cincinnati hasn’t had a high-caliber tight end since the terrific 2015 season display of Tyler Eifert. While C.J. Uzomah was a solid role player, he was still average at best as Cincinnati has sunk all of its stock into the wide receiver position. With the potential departure of receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, that may need to change this offseason.
With the 80th pick in the NFL Draft, I project Cincinnati to take tight end Cade Stover out of Ohio State.
Stover fills an excellent need as he provides some athleticism to the tight end position that the team is in desperate need of. Stover was an excellent possession receiver and red zone target during his time with the Buckeyes as he scored five touchdowns last season and his quarterbacks posted a staggering quarterback rating of 138.2 when they were looking the big tight ends direction.
While Stover has a tremendous frame for a tight end and excellent traits as a receiver, he has been noted as struggling with his release on occasion. While that may have been an issue in college, some extra workouts and training with the Cincinnati coaching staff could resolve that fairly easily and turn Stover into an elite red zone target in Cincinnati.
Stover would also help Cincinnati in filling the potential void generated by the departure of Higgins. Higgins was the biggest receiver that Cincinnati had and was an excellent red zone target for Burrow. Stover would be an excellent target to sit on the goal line and allow the tremendous accuracy of the Cincinnati quarterback to shine. Stover would be replacing Irv Smith who will be leaving Cincinnati after his one year contract concluded a fairly disappointing season in Cincinnati.
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