The Bengals may have found a sneaky difference-maker in Erick All, and the buzz around him is starting to catch up with the talent.
A fourth-round pick in 2024, All never got the chance to build on his rookie season last year because complications after surgery for a torn ACL wiped out the entire campaign. Now he’s back in the mix, and if he can stay on the field, there’s a real path for him to become a featured piece of Cincinnati’s offense in 2026.
That possibility is getting some national attention, too. ESPN’s Ben Solak labeled All a “breakout candidate,” pointing to how impactful he already looked before the injury setback.
“All outsnapped incumbent Mike Gesicki in five of the nine games he played as a rookie and brings a much-needed blocking dimension to Cincinnati's rushing attack,” Solak wrote. “If he's healthy, I expect him to lead the TE room in snaps and spring some big plays.”
That’s the appeal with All: he isn’t just another tight end type. Mike Gesicki brings more of a slot-receiver profile, and Drew Sample is known more for his blocking. All gives Cincinnati something different because he can handle both jobs, which creates problems for defenses and opens up matchup possibilities.
The injury history is the only thing that’s really kept his stock from being much higher. Based on the skill set alone, the Bengals probably got more player than the draft slot suggested.
And if All can finally put together a mostly healthy season, Cincinnati’s offense should be better for it. That’s the kind of comeback story that can turn into something bigger fast.
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