The positive, negative, and ugly.
Commence with the negative.
This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals signed tight end Irv Smith, Jr. to a one-year contract to take Hayden Hurst’s place. Prior to Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith, a former second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, had just six receptions for 32 yards and no touchdowns. The Bengals had high expectations for his performance, but thus far, he has delivered anything but.
Next comes the unsightly. Smith took a swing pass from quarterback Joe Burrow late in the second quarter with Cincinnati leading 14–10 and looking to score more at the 49ers’ 3-yard line. However, Smith fumbled to end the drive.
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The good, at least, was reasonably encouraging. Smith had his best Bengals game to date against the 49ers, hauling in four passes on four targets for 25 yards, including a long of 11 yards. He was the only tight end with a reception and had more catches than Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd.
In fact, Irv Smith (45.0), Drew Sample (39.1), and Mitchell Wilcox (37.3) were the Bengals’ three lowest-graded offensive players in their victory over the 49ers, according to Pro Football Focus.
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At least the good news was somewhat encouraging. Against the 49ers, Smith had his best Bengals performance to date, catching four passes on four targets for 25 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown. He had more catches than Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon and was the only tight end with a reception.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Bengals’ three lowest-graded offensive players in their win over the 49ers were Irv Smith (45.0), Drew Sample (39.1), and Mitchell Wilcox (37.3).
Tanner Hudson of the practise squad might be promoted by Cincinnati. When Smith was hurt early in the season, Hudson stepped in and did a fantastic job. In the two games he played, he finished with four receptions for 48 yards, including a long of 26 yards in a win over the Los Angeles Rams.
However, free agency won’t provide us any solutions. The well has run dry. Adam Shaheen and Maxx Williams are the top two tight ends still available as free agents; neither has participated in competitive play since 2021.
Hence, trades will be the Bengals’ only option if they want to bolster their tight end room. And there are a few who might be appropriate.
Zach Ertz, a former standout for the Philadelphia Eagles, is likely at the top of that list. Ertz still has a lot of energy left, even though he recently went on the injured reserve due to a quad strain and won’t be able to return until Week 12. So far this season, he has 27 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals.
Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki, two New England Patriot tight ends, are also possible trade candidates. Gesicki has caught 19 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, while Henry has 23 catches for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
narrow end The Indianapolis Colts no longer value Mo Alie-Cox, even though he has only six drops in 134 targets thus far. Alie-Cox has only been targeted eight times this year, with five receptions totaling 72 yards and a touchdown. Recently, PFF suggested that the Bengals target Alie-Cox.
Hurst has only 14 receptions for the Carolina Panthers, and just one in the last two games, so it might finally make sense for Cincinnati to think about getting back together with him.
Hurst is the tight end with the third-lowest drop percentage (2.6%), having only five drops on 190 targets in his career. With at least four receptions and 35 yards in each of the three games during the playoffs the previous year, he was especially useful to the Bengals.
The Bengals have the opportunity to take action.
Which name or names do you think the Bengals should target? Tell us in the space provided for comments!
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