Bengals can solve roster issue by trading veteran starter
The Cincinnati Bengals may have a high-powered offense, but it's missing one thing. Tight end Hayden Hurst signed with the Carolina Panthers, leaving a glaring need at the position, but the Bengals may have a way to solve that. Cincinnati signed four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. recently to a four-year deal last […]
The Cincinnati Bengals may have a high-powered offense, but it's missing one thing.
Tight end Hayden Hurst signed with the Carolina Panthers, leaving a glaring need at the position, but the Bengals may have a way to solve that.
Cincinnati signed four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. recently to a four-year deal last week. So, that's led Jonah Williams, the Bengals starting left tackle over the last three seasons, to request a trade.
So, the Bengals need to use Williams as trade bait to get another tight end on the roster, and here are three options
Jeremy Ruckert, New York Jets
Ruckert was taken by the Jets in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Ohio State. He was third in the rotation behind Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah. Ruckert played just 46 offensive snaps and produced only one reception for eight yards.
There is some upside with Ruckert as both a weapon in the passing game and as a blocker. Ruckert could instantly come in and compete for a starting spot and add some juice to the Bengals' offense.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Kmet has been with the Bears for three seasons and has shown improvement in each. Over his last two campaigns, Kmet has started all 34 games and he's racked up 110 receptions for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns (all in 2022).
He doesn't get the accolades of others, but Kmet has quietly turned himself into one of the better tight ends in the league, and the Bengals' offense would be even more lethal.
Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
Alie-Cox went undrafted in 2017, but he's made some waves with the Colts. In 2020 and 2021, Alie-Cox amassed 55 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns which led to him getting a three-year deal for $18 million last March.
At 6'5" and 265 pounds Alie-Cox is an imposing guy with good hands and power plus he can block as well. The Bengals could certainly use his skill set and should entertain the possibility of getting him.
