Tyler Eifert

Eifert missed just one contest during his rookie year of 2013, but since then he's played in a mere 28 of 80 games. Last year it was a broken ankle that ruined his season, though he did catch 15 passes on just 132 snaps in the four games he played, proving to still be dangerous for the brief period he was able to stay on the field. He then signed a one-year, incentive-heavy contract for a second straight offseason, while fellow tight end C.J. Uzomah received a three-year, $18.3 million deal. The Bengals did at least allow Tyler Kroft to leave for Buffalo, showing some degree of confidence in the tight ends left behind...until they drafted Drew Sample in the second round. Eifert returned healthy for training camp and even made a preseason appearance, but when someone's had this long of an injury history, it takes a certain leap of faith to devote draft or auction capital in his direction.

Eifert is basically the AFC's version of Jordan Reed. On the field, Eifert has been a legitimate difference maker, even scoring 13 touchdowns in 13 games back in 2015. But too much of the time, Eifert is found in the medical building. He's dealt with forearm, neck, elbow, knee, ankle and back problems as a pro, missing 41 of a possible 80 games. It was a torn ankle ligament in 2016, then an ongoing back problem last year. Eifert's game centers around good hands and a wide catch radius; he's not a runaway train like Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce. Eifert's average touchdown catch is just under 11 yards, and 17 of his 20 career touchdowns have been in the red zone. A healthy Eifert would be a great boost towards getting Andy Dalton back in form, but after looking at Eifert's medical file, how can you draft him with any confidence? Do keep one thing in mind - the tight end in a Dalton offense is usually a touchdown scorer. The ordinarily talented Tyler Kroft scored seven times last year.

No tight end, not even Rob Gronkowski, has been a more dynamic touchdown man than Eifert the last two seasons. He's scored 18 times in 21 starts, and that's come on a modest 81 catches and 121 targets. Andy Dalton knows where to go with the rock when the Bengals close in on the scoring stripe. But like Gronkowski, Eifert brings injury concerns to the table. He's appeared in just 58 percent of games since the Bengals drafted him in 2013. A blown-out ankle cost him four games last year, and then a back problem wiped out four more starts. Eifert eventually had back surgery right before the New Year. Eifert news was fairly quiet in spring, but he ultimately was cleared for the start of training camp. A healthy Eifert could theoretically be ranked as high as No. 2 among tight ends, but we need to be a little more conservative until we have specific details. Cincinnati's offense is loaded for bear (or Steeler, or Raven or Brown) this fall; the Bengals spent their first two draft picks on WR John Ross and RB Joe Mixon. If Eifert and A.J. Green stay healthy -- and we suppose Dalton also needs that tag -- we could be looking at a top-five offense. And we don't think the new pieces would cut into Eifert's production, as he's clearly the team's go-to option when passing around the goal line. It's just a matter of Eifert staying on the field.

After missing all but one game in 2014 with an elbow injury, Eifert came back strong last season, tying for fourth in the NFL with a position-leading 13 TDs and finishing third in fantasy PPG among TE. Eifert was uncoverable in the red zone, where he scored 11 TDs on 15 targets. Inside the 10, he was 6 of 7 with six scores, as defensive backs had a hard time matching up with this size (6-6, 250) and leaping ability (36-inch vertical). Eifert's yardage was inconsistent, non-existent when he was shut out Week 3. His only 100-yard game came Week 1, and he had at least 70 yards only one other time. It's a little surprising he didn't do more after the catch (3.9 YAC, 23rd), considering his 4.68 speed and 6.2 YAC (2nd) in 2013, but his YPC ranked ninth while his YPT tied for seventh. Eifert also missed three games with a neck stinger and concussion, and has yet to play a full season. He looks poised to miss time this season, too, after ankle surgery in May, which could cost him the first few games of the 2016 campaign. When he returns, he could be in store for more looks due to the departures of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, who leave behind 152 targets. The Bengals added Brandon LaFell, who had 74 targets with the Patriots last season, and drafted WR Tyler Boyd in the second round. An uptick in yards might help replace a regression in touchdowns.

After a promising rookie season, Eifert's second season ended in the first quarter of Week 1 last year when he suffered a dislocated elbow. In 2013, he teamed with Jermaine Gresham for 85 receptions, 903 yards and six touchdowns. But that was before new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and his run-based attack. Under Jackson last year, the Bengals passed on 52.4 percent of plays (28th in NFL) after throwing 57.1 percent under former OC Jay Gruden from 2011-2013. Gresham's numbers were nearly the same as the year before, even though he had the targets to himself with Eifert out. Gresham's gone, leaving Eifert with the workload this season. Even if Eifert only matches Gresham's 79 targets from last year, he should do more with them because he has the physical tools to be a difference-maker in the passing game. And Eifert should at least duplicate Gresham's red-zone work — five touchdowns on 15 targets. At 6-6, 250, with 4.68 speed, Eifert has the size to overpower defensive backs and the quickness to get by linebackers up the seam. With A.J. Green commanding double-teams and safety help, and the return of downfield threat Marvin Jones, who missed all last season with an injury after scoring 10 touchdowns in 2013, Eifert should be open with room to make plays — as a rookie he was second among tight ends in yards after the catch (6.26). Eifert, who also had offseason shoulder surgery, is expected to be healthy for training camp.

Eifert turned in a solid rookie season, acclimating to the NFL game alongside tight-end mate Jermaine Gresham. They produced similar numbers, though Eifert got more work in the red zone and averaged more yards per catch and per target. With A.J. Green drawing double teams and safety help downfield, both had free reign in the middle of the field and down the seam. Eifert averaged 6.26 yards after the catch (second among qualified TE) while Gresham averaged 6.13 (fifth). At 6-6 with good speed, Eifert has the size to exploit defensive backs and the quickness to outmaneuver linebackers. He could distance himself from Gresham this season, as the four-year veteran is in the last year of contract. If so, Eifert will be in a good position to produce.

Taken with the 21st overall pick, Eifert was the clear-cut top tight end in this year's draft. His career at Notre Dame included several acrobatic catches as Eifert has excellent body control and consistently wins the ball in traffic. Eifert's value will be limited in 2013 with the presence of Jermaine Gresham, but look for the Bengals to use more two tight-end sets to get him involved in the offense.