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Even though Irv Smith Jr. has officially put pen to paper with the Cincinnati Bengals, the tight end room is still not complete.
With the upcoming NFL Draft, the 2023 tight end class is arguably the deepest position available.
Cincinnati has already met with early-round prospects, like Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer, and Sam LaPorta.
But there are still plenty of options available after the first few rounds if the Bengals decide to go in a different direction with pick 28.
A potential mid-round pick the Bengals have met with is Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Josh Whyle.
Josh Whyle sets the school record for TDs by a TE with the 1⃣5⃣th of his career AND gives Cincy its first lead of the game!#AmericanFB x @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/hoz7TCRuJ1
— American Football (@American_FB) October 29, 2022
Whyle is a Cincinnati native who played football at Lasalle High School and then became a Bearcat at the collegiate level.
The Bengals have always had interest in players that have ties to Ohio, and it would make sense for Duke Tobin to look at Whyle later in the draft.
Whyle tallied 88 receptions, 1062 yards, and 15 touchdowns in his career.
TE josh Whyle on what it would mean to stay home and play for the Cincinnati Bengals. Whyle a Cincinnati native played at Lasalle HS and then UC.
— Neil Meyer (@MeyerNeil6) March 23, 2023
“Playing in this city at all three levels would be pretty cool. I want to play for a team that will win championships,” said Whyle pic.twitter.com/oU5Y19ZW7w
There are still some intriguing options in the later rounds of the draft and the Bengals plan to bring in a few names in the next few weeks.
The Bengals are planning to host Louisiana tight end Johnny Lumpkin for a visit, according to Megan Glover of KATC-TV3.
Cincinnati has also reached out and invited Eastern Kentucky tight end Dakota Allen to the Bengals’ local prospect day, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
Source: Cajuns TE @johnnylumpkin88 has upcoming visits with Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.
— Meagan Glover (@MeaganGTV) April 4, 2023
In 2022, Lumpkin had 16 rec, 143 yds, 4 TDs. Also played in the East-West Shrine Bowl. @KATCTV3
Eastern Kentucky tight end Dakota Allen invited to #Bengals local prospect day and has multiple Zoom interviews with #NFL teams https://t.co/8sShO79u7Q
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 4, 2023
This past season, Lumpkin hauled in 16 passes for 143 yards and four touchdowns.
As for Allen, the FCS star caught 26 passes for 353 yards and three scores in just five games during the 2022 college football season.
These two tight ends could be late-round targets or even undrafted prospects that the Bengals are showing interest in as well.
The NFL Draft is set to begin on April 27th.
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