2019 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Three-round Mock Draft

Round 3 Pick 73

T.J. Hockenson – TE – Iowa

For as good as Tyler Eifert has been when healthy, it is beginning to not be worth it for the Bengals to try and rely on his health. With Eifert, Tyler Kroft, and C.J. Uzomah all set to be free agents for the Bengals, they will desperately need a tight end.

There is a chance they resign one of Kroft or Uzomah, who should be cheaper than Eifert, but they will still need to look long term at someone.

T.J. Hockenson enters the draft as an underrated tight end prospect. Often overshadowed by teammate Noah Fant, the consensus top tight end in the draft, Hockenson also had a very successful career for Iowa. Hockenson may be the best run blocking tight end in the draft. For a team that needs line help like Cincinnati does, Hockenson will be even more appealing. His run blocking tape is exceptional and he would do wonders for Joe Mixon on the edge.

More than just a run blocker, Hockenson also developed into a reliable target in the Iowa passing game. During his senior year he caught 49 balls for 760 yards and six touchdowns. We have seen how reliant Cincinnati likes to be with their tight ends.

Brining in someone like Hockenson who is an exceptional blocker, which is often what keeps young tight ends off the field, and who is also developing into a good receiver, would help create a reliable safety net for Andy Dalton.