/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45866224/457453928.0.jpg)
The Bengals were among all 32 NFL teams represented at Rutgers' Pro Day.
The Scarlet Knights may have only one player drafted this year, but he happens to be play a position of potential need for Cincinnati. With Jermaine Gresham likely gone, tight end Tyler Kroft could be a nice late-round pickup.
He's the only top-250 prospect via CBS Sports that Rutgers features, and he's not even a senior. The redshirt junior declared for the draft after Kroft realized he could be a top-five TE prospect in a rather weak class for that position. The 6-5, 246-pound Kroft
Bengals and UC Bearcat fans will like seeing the NFL comparison Lance Zierlein gave Kroft:
NFL COMPARISON Travis Kelce
BOTTOM LINE: Tall, athletic tight end with the frame to add more muscle and the athleticism to get open in space. Kroft is an aggressive blocker who can help the running game win on the edges, but he also possesses the quickness to get open in space and make a play after the catch. Kroft's size, athleticism and competitiveness as a blocker make him a scheme fit for most offenses and he could be one of the top tight ends to come from this draft class.
Whoever becomes the next Bengals TE must be a good run-blocker, something that Zierlein noted of Kroft:
Tenacious blocker. Handled Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun as run blocker. Blocks with good base and sustains blocks with strong hands. Not content to stalemate -- wants to win the play as blocker. Able to handle himself in pass protection using adequate footwork and technique. Played under Ron Prince and Brian Angelichio, who are now NFL tight end coaches.
It's probably safe to say Zierlein is who the Bengals came to see at Rutgers Pro Day. Here are all of the Rutgers draft-eligible prospects:
RANK |
PLAYER |
POS. |
POS. RANK |
CLASS |
HT. |
WT. |
PROJ. ROUND |
113 |
*Tyler Kroft |
TE |
5 |
rJr |
6-5 |
246 |
3-4 |
379 |
Gary Nova |
QB |
18 |
Sr |
6-1 |
226 |
-- |
427 |
Mike Burton |
FB |
10 |
rSr |
5-11 |
242 |
-- |
525 |
Kaleb Johnson |
OG |
30 |
Sr |
6-4 |
305 |
-- |
714 |
Betim Bujari |
C |
23 |
rSr |
6-3 |
295 |
-- |
892 |
Savon Huggins |
RB |
65 |
Sr |
5-11 |
200 |
-- |
916 |
Johnathan Aiken |
FS |
41 |
Sr |
5-11 |
190 |
-- |
930 |
Kevin Snyder |
ILB |
43 |
Sr |
6-3 |
235 |
-- |
976 |
Lorenzo Waters |
SS |
44 |
rSr |
5-11 |
205 |
-- |
Also, former Bengals fullback and Rutgers alum Brian Leonard was in attendance, which brings back memories of Leaping Leonard: