Bengals must search draft's middle rounds for tight end

The Bengals need a tight end. Maybe more than one. Before diving into the upcoming NFL draft's (April 30-May 2) outlook at the position, that much remains certain. When the primary option on the roster is Tyler Eifert, who managed only eight snaps last season after enduring an offseason also spent battling injuries and a rookie year cut short by a neck stinger, the need for depth is paramount.

Marvin Lewis and his staff will bank on Eifert not only completing a healthy season next year, but making good on the first-round potential the team invested in 2013.

Beyond Eifert, the players who'll fill the tight ends room once training camp begins will be about anybody's guess. Journeyman Kevin Brock and practice squad member Jake Murphy should be there. Jermaine Gresham returning remains an option, even if an unlikely one. Ryan Hewitt will stay focused on fullback, and the team prefers to keep him in that role.

This leaves the draft as an area where one or two tight ends need to enter the equation, including one who could start in two-tight-end sets immediately. Unfortunately for the Bengals, this draft - in the early rounds - doesn't overflow with them. But recent results would suggest taking a third stab in five years at the position in the first round wouldn't make much sense.

A vast majority of the top performing tight ends in the league emanate from the middle rounds of the draft. There are 10 tight ends who graded in the top 10 of their position (minimum 600 snaps) in two of the last three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Of those, only two were former first-round selections. Half of the group came from the third round and beyond. Not included in the group were two of the most productive overall tight end selections over the past two years, Philadelphia's Zach Ertz (second round) and Kansas City's Travis Kelce (third round).

Consider even further the Bengals will be placing more value on a blocking tight end rather than a productive pass catcher like Eifert and the opportunity shifts even more toward the player with skills they covet slipping into the third round or beyond.

Still, the Bengals must cash in on the available value. Picking tight ends hasn't exactly been a winning venture in recent years. Gresham, despite his success, could only be viewed as an underachiever or else he'd have already re-signed a contract with the Bengals or another club. The jury is still out on Eifert, living primarily on potential at this point. Then the list grows ugly. Orson Charles (fourth round, 2012), Chase Coffman (third, 2009) and Matt Sherry (sixth, 2008) round out the tight ends picked under Lewis. They combined for zero career starts - as Bengals - and next to zilch production.

In this draft, a chance exists that all but Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams will be picked in the third round and beyond. But which of those prospects best fit what the Bengals are looking for? Here's a look at four potential candidates likely available in the third round or later.

Jeff Heuerman

School: Ohio State, Sr.

Body: 6-5, 254

Stats: Didn't drop a single catchable pass in 17 attempts in a limited passing role last season. Thrived primarily as a blocker in Urban Meyer's system.

Projection: 3rd-4th

Bengals fit: Underrated as a receiver due to underuse, but a consistent blocker. Brings the type of well-rounded game that could land him in a starter's role opposite Eifert on opening day. He's a beast in the weight room, ranking second at the combine this year in bench press reps. Thick, upper core blockers have always been a favorite of Bengals' coaches. Remember, Charles owns the combine record on bench press for a tight end (35).

Clive Walford

School: Miami, RSr.

Body: 6-4, 251

Stats: Led all tight ends in yards per route run last season, working almost half of his snaps out of the slot, according to PFF.

Projection: 3rd

Bengals fit: Came along as a blocker and could be the Eifert complement the Bengals desire, perhaps even with a bit of dynamic receiving ability - considering his efficiency in the passing game at Miami. How consistent can he be as a run blocker is the biggest question the Bengals should be asking themselves about Walford.

Nick Boyle

School: Delaware, Sr.

Body: 6-4, 268

Stats: 101 receptions for 984 yards in his Delaware career, all-time leader in school history. Slowest 40-yard dash time among top prospects at the combine.

Projection: 5th-6th

Bengals fit: The type of physical, powerful, nasty blocker the Bengals might seek to complement the run game. Cincinnati loves big-school prospects, and his FCS pedigree might be a concern, as will his lack of speed. But if you are talking about a fit as a powerful run blocker who can also catch a few passes out of the backfield, Boyle could be a late-round value steal.

Jesse James

School: Penn State, Jr.

Body: 6-7, 261

Stats: Top performer among tight ends in the bench press, vertical jump, broad jump and 60-yard shuttle. Set PSU record for a tight end with 11 touchdown receptions, but ranked among worst TE prospects in drop rate.

Projection: 4th-6th

Bengals fit: James could put on weight and become a physical beast at the position, but the Bengals need to see his desire as a run blocker kick up a notch. If they think they can get it out of him, he could be a nice third day snag. He's only 20, so plenty of room for improvement. He's one of the better pure athletes at the position in this draft.

Stuck in the middle

This is a list of tight ends to rank in the top 10 at least twice in recent years in the grading of Pro Football Focus, along with the round they were drafted.