Is it reasonable to handcuff your No. 1 tight end? Those who draft Tyler Eifert can at least consider that, since Eifert isn't certain to be ready for the start of the season.
Eifert injured his ankle in the Pro Bowl -- the Pro Bowl! -- and four months later, it's been determined he'll need surgery. The article calls it a "minimal procedure," but the recovery timetable is three months. If that's the case, you can forget about Eifert playing in the exhibition games.
His availability looks even more important when you consider the Bengals are short on quality, established pass catchers after A.J. Green. Marvin Jones is in Detroit, Mohamed Sanu is in Atlanta.
Taking on extra importance, then, are newcomers Brandon LaFell from New England and second-rounder Tyler Boyd. And yet another Tyler, No. 2 tight end Tyler Kroft, becomes a potential last-round pick, a guy who might need to start if Eifert isn't 100 percent at the start of the season.
Kroft played some down the stretch last year, catching 3 passes for 31 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 and 4 passes for 46 in Week 16. He was targeted 15 times on the season and caught 11 for 129 yards and that touchdown.
Given the team's receiving corps, it's not unreasonable to think he could be the No. 2 option in the passing game if Eifert can't go. He's not Eifert, but he could be out there getting similar looks.
All this, of course, is a reason to be a little hesitant drafting Andy Dalton. He's going to be working with a lot of new receivers this year.
--Andy Richardson