The Cincinnati Bengals suddenly have a very good problem at the tight end position.
What was once a question mark that rotated one-offs as the top guys on the depth chart for Joe Burrow has morphed into a strength — so much so, the team might have to roster at least five tight ends at cut downs soon.
And sixth-round rookie Tanner McLachlan might just be one of them.
McLachlan is projected to be a distant fifth on the depth chart and in danger of losing a roster spot. Mike Gesicki arrived via free agency to act as the No. 1 option, Drew Sample’s role is locked down, Tanner Hudson broke out last year and fourth-rounder Erick All is a high-upside lock who likely only fell in the draft due to his injury history.
But as Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson put it recently, the Bengals might not have a choice when it comes to McLachlan:
I can’t imagine the #Bengals try to sneak rookie TE Tanner McLachlan onto their practice squad. He will be claimed. pic.twitter.com/IGfUCAiFFf
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) August 21, 2024
Again, a good problem to have. At this point, if the staff really feels the numbers crunch, they might instead opt to take their chances that Hudson slips through the cracks. He’ll turn 30 in October, and while last year was good, McLachlan is 25.
The Bengals have to be thinking about the long-term at the position right now. If Gesicki breaks out, he’ll be the latest Burrow tight end to go make bank elsewhere. And if he doesn’t, he might be gone, anyway.
In theory, All is the No. 1 of the future, but there are injury concerns. That might leave McLachlan, whose underusage at Arizona might’ve helped push him to the Bengals later in the sixth round than he had any business going.
