The Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to draft Tanner McLachlan might have initially raised some eyebrows. This is especially following their selection of Erick All from Iowa 2 rounds earlier in the NFL draft. However, a closer examination of McLachlan’s skills, stats, and overall potential suggests that draft capital here could be deceiving when deciding which tight end they drafted could prevail as their future franchise tight end.
In the 4th round with the 15th pick, the Bengals chose Erick All. This was a decision that seemed to solidify their choice for a future tight end. However, just two rounds later, with the 18th pick in the 6th round, Tanner McLachlan’s name was called by the Bengals as well. Given the two picks, it’s easy to assume Erick All might be the preferred choice. Yet, there are compelling reasons to believe Tanner McLachlan could emerge as the primary tight end for the Bengals.
Comparing the college performance of both players brings McLachlan’s potential into sharper focus. With his only seasons yielding 456 and 528 yards plus a total of 6 touchdowns, McLachlan’s stats are noteworthy. Erick All’s best season at Iowa was in 2021 with 437 yards and 2 touchdowns. Past this best season for All, last season he had 299 yards then each of his other seasons (5 total seasons) he struggled getting to 100 yards. This comparison showcases McLachlan’s consistent high performance and suggests a level of reliability and potential that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is another point where McLachlan shines. His impressive 9.13 RAS highlights his superior athletic abilities, while Erick All did not qualify for this metric. This athletic ability hints at his potential to dominate both in the receiving game and in the blocking game.
Comparing both All and McLachlan’s stature shows the type of tight ends the Bengals were targeting: your prototypical mold. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 244 lbs, McLachlan’s size is on par with Erick All. All stands at 6’4″ and 244 pounds. Although, Tanner’s ability to pop out on tape combined with his athletic scores and production makes a strong case for his future success at the Bengals.
As the Bengals approach a period of transition especially with Mike Gesicki’s contract drawing to a close, the need for a future franchise tight end becomes more apparent. While Erick All possesses considerable talent and potential, the statistical, physical, and athletic comparisons lean favorably towards Tanner McLachlan.
In conclusion, while seeing the Bengals draft All before McLachlan may make McLachlan advocates concerned, digging deep into both of these players still reveals McLachlan very well could be the guy. If his college performance and athleticism are anything to go by, McLachlan could very well be the Bengals’ tight end of the future. Draft capital is a good predictor of future playing opportunity, although in this case we are predicting McLachlan still is the guy in Cinci.
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