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The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up the 2017 NFL Draft with the selection of Buffalo Bulls tight end Mason Schreck in Round 7.
Schreck wasn’t projected as a draftable prospect by any major service, but this is the round where teams take chances on guys you may have never heard of. Schreck was a productive pass-catcher in the MAC, earning all-conference honors this past season after catching 59 passes for 651 yards and four touchdowns as a first-year starter.
How He Fits Bengals
Schreck doesn’t look like someone who will contend for a roster spot this year, being that Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah and Ryan Hewitt will occupy all of those snaps and roster spots. That’s actually probably why Cincinnati took Schreck, who they may try to stash on the practice squad this season.
Then in 2018, Eifert will become a free agent, so if he leaves, Schreck could take his roster spot in 2018 while Uzomah and Kroft occupy the starting duties. It’s possible Schreck becomes solely a blocking tight end in the NFL as he possess good strength and commitment to being a good blocker.
Schreck showed flashes of being a good pass-catcher at Buffalo, but having just one good year of production in the MAC will probably keep him from making any 53-man roster in 2017.
Why This Makes Sense
Again, it’s pretty common for teams to draft players they plan on stashing on the practice squad on Day 3 of the draft. Schreck looks like he could develop into a nice NFL player over time, but this simply isn’t a position where he can earn a roster at in 2017 outside of injuries to other guys.
Schreck also put up some great workout numbers this offseason, which could bode well for his long-term development.
Another player the #Lions met with is Mason Schreck of Buffalo. A bit undersized, but posted good speed and explosion numbers #RAS pic.twitter.com/QBioxWnKmi
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 17, 2017
And it’s worth noting that Uzomah and Kroft are both free agents in 2019, so Schreck could spend the next two seasons on the practice squad, then make the roster in 2019 and be one of the top three tight ends.
There’s always a chance a guy like Schreck makes a surprising splash in training camp and the preseason, but even if he does so, it’s hard to see him taking a roster spot from one of the aforementioned veterans.