NOTE: This is the third of a 10-part series detailing each position group for the Bengals heading into 2025 training camp, which begins on July 23, and culminating with a 53-player roster projection.

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – This part takes a look at the tight end position and who is a lock to make the 53-man roster when it’s finalized on Aug. 26, who is likely to make it, who is in a battle to make it and who are longshots to make it:

How many will likely be kept: 4

Lock to make it: Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample

Likely to make it: Tanner Hudson

Battling to make it: Cam Grandy, Tanner McLachlan

Longshot to make it: Kole Taylor

Injured: Erick All

The Skinny: After making one-year stop-gap moves at this position since 2022 the Bengals finally hit on a long-term solution in Gesicki. He played on a one-year contract last season and wound up catching 65 passes for 665 yards, both of which were third-most on the team. He signed a three-year contract extension in March.

Gesicki is a much better receiver than in-line blocker, but Drew Sample fills that role and also caught 20 passes for 109 yards.

Hudson has carved out a niche as a reliable backup and had 58 receptions for 506 yards over the last two seasons combined.

Grandy was elevated from the practice squad when All suffered a season-ending knee injury and started six of the eight games he played, but was mostly used in a blocking role as he finished with five receptions for 28 yards.

McLachlan was a sixth-round draft choice in 2024 and spent all season on the practice squad.

All, who was a fourth-round pick in 2024, showed tremendous promise as both a blocker and a receiver and finished with 20 receptions for 158 yards in the nine games he played, six of which he started. It’s unknown when he will be able to return to play.

BENGALS TRAINING CAMP POSITION PREVIEW SCHEDULE

July 7: QuarterbackJuly 8: Running BackJuly 9: Tight EndJuly 10: Wide ReceiverJuly 11: Offensive lineJuly 14: Defensive lineJuly 15: LinebackerJuly 16: SecondaryJuly 17: SpecialistsJuly 18: 5 questions facing the team entering training camp and a 53-player roster projection