In the quest to bolster their athleticism at the tight end position during the 2024 season, the Cincinnati Bengals made some strategic moves that could potentially pay off big time. Bringing in free agent Mike Gesicki from the New England Patriots was a solid start, but the team didn’t stop there. In the NFL Draft, the orange and black decided to double-dip at tight end, selecting sixth-round pick Tanner McLachlan from Arizona and Cincinnati native Erick All from Iowa at pick 115 overall.
All, a product of Fairfield High School, is currently behind McLachlan on the depth chart due to a series of injuries he’s working to recover from. Despite his setbacks, All is an intriguing prospect who showed promise during his time at both Michigan and Iowa.
During his tenure at Michigan, All was a three-year letterman and earned All-Big Ten honors in 2021. He recorded 54 receptions for 565 yards and two touchdowns before transferring to Iowa as a graduate student in 2022. In his first season with the Hawkeyes, All continued to impress, securing 21 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns before a season-ending injury cut his campaign short.
However, injuries have been a major concern for All, including a torn ACL and a significant spine surgery that could have potentially ended his football career. Despite the setbacks, the Bengals believe in his talent and see him as a valuable asset to their offense.
All’s versatility as a receiver and blocker makes him an ideal fit for the Bengals’ heavy 11-personnel sets, where he can help create mismatches for the opposing defense. With his agility and athleticism, All has the potential to be a game-changer for quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense.
Burrow, who has been vocal about the need for a dynamic tight end threat, must be excited about the potential All brings to the table. With multiple options at the tight end position, the Bengals could have a potent offensive weapon that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
As All continues to recover and work his way back to full strength, all eyes will be on him to see if he can live up to the potential that made him a standout at both Michigan and Iowa. If he can stay healthy and showcase his skills on the field, the Bengals could have a diamond in the rough in Erick All.
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