The Cincinnati Bengals surprised some fans by not taking a tight end in the 2023 NFL draft.
But they will add at least one during undrafted free agency.
According to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle, the Bengals and Houston standout Christian Trahan are finalizing a deal in the wake of the draft ending.
Trahan, 6’3″ and 245 pounds, had 23 catches for 237 yards and three scores last season. The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez explained his versatility:
Christian Trahan is a versatile tight end for Houston that plays multiple roles. Trahan will occasionally line up as an outside receiver to take advantage of matchups if the linebacker follows him in man. Trahan will also align as a slot receiver to give the quarterback a big target running the seam in the middle of the field. But Trahan’s best alignment is in the H-back position where he does so many things. From this alignment, Trahan can go in motion and act as a lead blocker on run plays.
Trahan will have a massive opportunity in Cincinnati, where the Bengals lost three tight ends before signing Irv Smith Jr. and bringing back Drew Sample.
Cincinnati could still re-up with Mitchell Wilcox at a later date too, but it was surprising to see the position go unaddressed over the course of eight picks.
Our whole undrafted free agency tracker is here.
