Tight end is a big area concern for the Bengals entering training camp
With Tyler Eifert being sidelined due to ankle surgery, we could see a less-heralded guy step into a bigger role in 2016. Could C.J. Uzomah be the guy who steps up and takes on a bigger workload?
He sure hopes so after having almost no workload his rookie season. The 157th-overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, Uzomah was the second tight end Cincinnati took in that draft after getting Tyler Kroft in Round 3. At Auburn, Uzomah had just 29 career receptions for 435 yards and seven scores during his four-year college career.
He was primarily a blocking tight end in the Tigers' offense, which rarely featured tight ends, but he did catch six touchdowns during his final two college seasons. While few scouting services had Uzomah projected to be drafted, the Bengals liked what they saw in the 6'5", 264-pound athletic pass-catcher, thinking the could mold this raw athlete into an NFL tight end.
Player Profile
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 271 pounds
Age: 23
College: Auburn
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
Experience: 2nd-Year Player
Contract
2016 Stock
A big reason why the Bengals liked Uzomah was they viewed him as someone who may develop into the kind players that Alex Smith, Kevin Brock and Reggie Kelly were as primarily blocking tight ends. Cincinnati uses either a blocking tight end or an extra offensive tackle in many of their formations.
With only Kroft and Eifert being viable options, they needed a guy like Uzomah to come in and give them another body that could block, maybe catch a few passes and possibly be a good red-zone target:
Here's a nice C.J. Uzomah backshoulder catch from Josh Johnson. https://t.co/mTsHMF5C24
— Brennen Warner (@BrennenWarner) August 12, 2015
As it turned out, Uzomah would earn a spot on the 53-man roster as a rookie, despite catching just two passes for 13 yards in the preseason. His most memorable play was more of a gaffe after he dropped what looked like a sure touchdown pass from Keith Wenning.
Maybe not entirely his fault, but not a good impression from Uzomah. https://t.co/7ydbeUN6w4
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) August 15, 2015
As for the regular season, Uzomah caught one pass for four yards that converted a fourth-down attempt against the Cleveland Browns.
C.J. Uzomah with his first career reception, converting a fourth down. https://t.co/YxXKEHtva9
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) December 6, 2015
Other than that, Uzomah got occasional snaps as a blocking tight end and even a backup h-back. He didn't fair too well in the h-back role though, which forced the Bengals to move rookie lineman Jake Fisher to h-back when Ryan Hewitt went down with an injury against the Broncos in Week 16.
In the end, Uzomah showed flashes of being a good blocking tight end, but not enough so that his spot on next year's roster is locked up.
Roster Chances
While I do not believe Uzomah should be assured of a roster spot based on how little he did in 2015, he's practically being handed one with no other real challenger. After Eifert and Kroft, it's Uzomah battling the likes of John Peters and Matt Lengel for the third and likely final tight end spot.
We've seen virtually nothing of Peters or Lengel, so it's hard to see them being a real threat. It also helps that Eifert's injury may force the Bengals to keep an extra tight end once the season opens, which would all but guarantee a spot for Kroft.
Whatever happens, I give Uzomah a high chance of making the 53-man roster this year. He's just in too good of a position to not make it unless a veteran tight end is signed.