2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Bengals could take in Round 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates the game winning touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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IOWA CITY, IA – NOVEMBER 10: Iowa Hawkeyes tight end T.J. Hockenson (38) can’t catch a pass during a Big Ten Conference football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 10, 2018, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. T.J. Hockenson

The Bengals would love to rely on Tyler Eifert to be their tight end of the present and future, but his injury issues make that a really poor plan. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals look to find a healthier player to man the position in this year’s draft.

Hockenson is a 50/50 bet to last this long, but if he’s still on the board he could be a nice boost for the Bengals offense. His ability to split out and play in the slot next to A.J. Green would really put a lot of stress on opposing secondaries. It’s very difficult to double team both the flanker and slot receiver on the same side of the field.

Teams are rightly terrified of leaving Green in single coverage which means Hockenson would get a ton of chances to operate in space against linebackers and single safeties. He’s got the athleticism and route running skills to eat those match ups alive.

Drafting a tight end in the first round won’t fill one of Cincinnati’s biggest needs, but Hockenson’s talent might be too much to pass up at this point in the draft. He’s also a player that could help extend Dalton’s tenure in charge of the Bengals offense.

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