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2016 AFC North Rankings by Position: Tight Ends

By Joe Serpico

September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (80) during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (80) during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (81) celebrates a touchdown by tight end Tyler Eifert (85) in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (81) celebrates a touchdown by tight end Tyler Eifert (85) in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Cincinnati Bengals tight ends Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft

It’s not often that tight ends get taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Bengals saw talent in Eifert and made him the 21st pick in the 2013 draft. They were rewarded this season as the former Notre Dame product earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season.

Eifert made the proverbial leap in his third year by finishing with 13 touchdowns on the season. It was the most by a tight end and one short of league high by any player in the NFL. With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu both gone due to free agency, his role is expected to expand this year. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that Eifert will undergo surgery on his ankle for an injury suffered in the Pro Bowl. The injury could cost him the regular season opener which is a shocker considering he has had several months to go through with the procedure. He also missed some time last season with an injury, which opened the door for another high draft choice get playing time.

Tyler Kroft was a surprise pick by the Bengals in the third round last year. He played both tight end and wide receiver while at Rutgers and has the body that is coveted by the NFL. He’s a very strong blocker and while he didn’t post blistering numbers in his rookie season, he has promise in the league. If the Bengals are without Eifert to start the season, they have a reliable option until he gets back.

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