Bengals rookie has turned heads from all directions after just four games of his promising career
An NFL player's career is hardly defined by the first four weeks of his rookie season. The clock ticks fast, but not that fast. But if you show you belong in such a short timespan, the trajectory of your future is altered in the best possible way. This is happening in real time for Cincinnati […]
An NFL player's career is hardly defined by the first four weeks of his rookie season. The clock ticks fast, but not that fast. But if you show you belong in such a short timespan, the trajectory of your future is altered in the best possible way.
This is happening in real time for Cincinnati Bengals rookie tight end Erick All Jr. The fourth-round pick from this year's NFL Draft has been a central catalyst for Cincinnati's offense that now leads the NFL in 12 personnel usage.
And everyone is taking notice.
On a roster that carries five tight ends, All has shown the most versatility out of anyone from the group. He's caught all 12 of his targets for 82 yards (all since Week 2's offensive evolution) and has repped 67 snaps as a blocker in both the run and pass game.
He's second in receiving production behind Mike Gesicki and second in blocking usage behind Drew Sample, but only he can say he's entrusted to perform both roles with effectiveness.
"He helps, I think that's the mentality of the tight end room and Erick's a big part of that," head coach Zac Taylor said of All on Wednesday. "I think when you have the ability to also expand in the passing game, that helps a lot of things when you're on the field.
"Erick brings a lot to the table."
The sentiment is also felt just below Taylor in the coaching hierarchy. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher has played a role in diversifying the Bengals' offense with more runs featuring All as the lead blocker. It helps when said blocker's attitude is right for the job.
“I’ll say this. Maybe it goes beyond willing and turns into eager—an eagerness to be violent," Pitcher said of All. "That’s probably a better descriptor.”
Now that's what you want to hear from a coach.
All's impact has impressive from a national perspective as well. Through four games, he's out-produced all rookie tight ends aside from the first one drafted this year: Brock Bowers. His numbers grabbed the attention of The Athletic's Dane Brugler in his early All-Rookie Team, in which All is the current runner-up to Bowers at the position:
"All’s steady production has been one of the unexpected surprises from this rookie class so far. He is averaging just 6.8 yards per catch, but it is his consistency that stands out — he’s seen four targets in each of the last three games and caught all 12 of those passes. All is earning the trust of the coaches as a blocker, too (see his motion block on Chase Brown’s 4-yard touchdown Sunday against the Panthers)." – The Athletic's Dane Brugler
Last Sunday was further proof of concept that the Bengals are a better team with All on the field. He out-snapped both Gesicki and Sample for the first time, which figures to be the norm going forward with the two most important decision-makers in his life heaping praises of him.
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