The Cincinnati Bengals have "a lot of hope" for former Auburn tight end C.J. Uzomah as he enters the last year of his rookie contract.

Uzomah saw his production slide last season to 10 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown in 14 games, down from 25 catches for 234 yards and a score in 10 games in 2016. However, he had seven catches for 53 yards and a touchdown in the last five weeks of the season and the Bengals hope that will roll over into 2018.

"Our tight end production was a little down this year," Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday. "Our offensive production was down and consequently our tight end production was a little down. We believe in C.J., he's a young ascending player still. He's got all the physical traits you want. He's got great work ethic.

"He and Tyler Kroft are a good combination for us. Then if we can get Tyler Eifert back we'll see what the offseason holds for him; if he can get on the field and stay on the field he's a pretty dynamic weapon. We've got a lot of hope for C.J. going forward."

A fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft, Uzomah has one year and just under $760,000 remaining on his rookie contract.

Kroft, who had 42 catches for 404 yards and seven touchdowns, is also entering the last year of his contract and is due over $2 million.

Eifert, who had four catches for 46 yards last season, is a free agent.

James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.