Tyler Kroft to Cincinnati Bengals: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

After a pair of offensive tackles in the draft's opening two rounds, the Cincinnati Bengals went out in third round at No. 85 and grabbed them someone to block for with Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft.

Tight end was one of the bigger needs coach Marvin Lewis and the front office figured to address in the first two days of the 2015 draft after losing Jermaine Gresham to free agency.

Kroft will join third-year pro Tyler Eifert at the position and figures to give quarterback Andy Dalton a pair of movable pieces at the position, a major need after a lack of reliable players who could create separation and move the chains that hurt the offense late last season.

Standing at 6'5" and 246 pounds, it's clear the Cincinnati coaching staff wanted to grab a big-play threat, which Kroft is, although 70 catches for 901 yards and five scores in college suggest otherwise at face value.

On film, though, it's clear the Scarlet Knights' erratic quarterback situation hurts Kroft's production. Even for his weight, he's a solid blocker and he touts an underrated ability to stretch the defense in a vertical manner.

As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein concludes, Kroft's all-around upside make him a name to keep an eye on moving forward:

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Tall, athletic tight end with the frame to add more muscle and the athleticism to get open in space. Kroft is an aggressive blocker who can help the running game win on the edges, but he also possesses the quickness to get open in space and make a play after the catch. Kroft's size, athleticism and competitiveness as a blocker make him a scheme fit for most offenses and he could be one of the top tight ends to come from this draft class.

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The only issue with the pick is timing, as even Zierlein grades Kroft as a fifth-round value.

Height	Weight	Hands	Arm Length	Bench Press (reps)
6'5"	246 pounds	9 5/8"	33"	17

It's hard to put a price tag on how the Bengals view the position, though. Kroft's upside is tough to ignore, and it's clear the team thought him a better fit than more recognizable names at the position still on the board such as Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman and Florida State's Nick O'Leary. 

ESPN.com's Coley Harvey captured Kroft's thoughts on his fit in Cincinnati, highlighted by a reunion with wideout Mohamed Sanu:

Like Sanu, Kroft is a hard-nosed blocker, something offensive coordinator Hue Jackson wants out of all his pass-catching targets because he's operating a run-first offense behind the legs of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard.

To that end, the selection of Kroft is a home run. Bleacher Report's scouting writeup compares him to Owen Daniels, which is nothing short of a good thing.

Kroft's an every-down player in a backup role with the Bengals. At worst, he'll bulk up as a rookie and take the field the same time as Eifert and stay in and block.

If he and Dalton get on the same page, he's liable to make a few big plays and touts the ability to pick up good numbers after the catch, too, and there's no understating the large target he provides in the red zone.

The value is questionable with so much talent on the board, but the Bengals still hit on a need. There's a passing grade here for such a move, with room for a bump if Kroft grows into the player the Bengals seem to think he can be.

Grade: C+

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of May 1. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.