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The Bengals sent tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes to Iowa State's Pro Day on Wednesday.
Hayes was on hand to see tight end E.J. Bibbs, who he ran an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.86 seconds, jumped 31.5 inches and put up 22 reps on the bench press, according to reporters on the scene. After the workout, Bibbs spent close to 30 minutes with the Bengals, working the white board and interviewing, according to Walter Football.
The 6-2, 258-pound Bibbs played only two years of DI football, but caught 84 passes for 844 yards and 10 scores in his two seasons in Ames. There appears to be interest from the Bengals, and CBS Sports projects Bibbs to go in the 6th or 7th round of April's NFL Draft.
If Tyler Eifert is the only true tight end on the team by the team of the draft, the Bengals might spend a higher draft pick on one. If Jermaine Gresham is brought back, a late-round flyer on a guy like Bibbs becomes more realistic.
Here's an excerpt from his NFL.com profile:
Comes out of his breaks under control and ready to catch the ball. Opens up and is a presentable target for quarterback. Shows good concentration as a pass-catcher with plus hands. Uses body to position effectively. Averaged a touchdown every seven catches. Gives good effort and has good feet in zone blocking.
Bibbs flashed some productivity with the Cyclones over the last two seasons, but he is a below-average athlete without eye-catching potential as a run blocker. Bibbs will have to prove he can be a viable NFL blocker to make it as a tight end and he might end up getting a look as a fullback.