Bengals Player Profile: Jack Endries has more long-term importance than a seventh-round pick should have
Jack Endries was not supposed to be drafted as late as he was by the Cincinnati Bengals. His draft status is the only thing holding him back now.
We’re 71 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. As summer break officially begins for Cincinnati, we’ll be covering the entirety of the Bengals’ 90-man roster, player by player. Check out previous player profiles here.
The next player on the countdown was the first of two seventh-round picks Cincinnati made in this year’s NFL Draft.
Jack Endries Player Profile
Age: 22
Year: Rookie
Position: Tight end
College: Texas
Jersey Number: 84
Jack Endries was selected with the No. 221 in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Bengals. Endries spent just three years in college, playing two seasons at Cal (2023-24) and his third at Texas (2025). He played immediately as a walk-on true freshman for the Golden Bears, catching 35 passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns with Fernando Mendoza as his quarterback. His 2024 was even better as he led the offense with 56 receptions for 623 receiving yards along with another two touchdowns. He transferred to Texas last year to catch passes from Arch Manning, and caught 33 of them for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
Cincinnati drafting Endries in the seventh round was a surprise. He was projected to go much earlier on Day 3 of the draft. Anyone could tell he was surprised to be picked as late as he was too when he put every team that passed him up on notice.
“It’s just a lot of frustration there,” Endries said last month. “Because I felt like I went really late. I’m so happy for the Bengals for picking me up. Every team that passed on me or took a different guy, I’m definitely going to go out there with a little more hatred towards them and punishment out there. So I’m just going to try and do my best to beat those teams.”
Contract details
Endries signed a four-year, $4,551,016 rookie contract with the Bengals. His base salary for 2026 is the minimum $885,000. He’s also getting $171,016 as a signing bonus. His cash figure for the year is $1,056,016, and his salary cap hit will be $927,754.
Roster outlook
Cincinnati has five tight ends not named Endries who could easily make the initial 53. Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki aren’t going anywhere, and neither is Erick All Jr. now that he’s fully healthy again. Tanner Hudson is well-trusted, and Cam Grandy has blocking prowess.
Endries brings value as a TE who can contribute both as a receiver and blocker. Only All can say the same, and with All’s injury history, it should be a priority to stash Endries on the roster. It’s just not a guarantee unless he simply outshines Hudson and Grandy.
If the tight end room gets to keep five on the roster, I expect Endries to be in it. If the number is four, it will be a tall task.
Roster odds: 40%