ESPN Names Bengals Tight End as 2026 Breakout Candidate

All's extended absence could've pushed him down the depth chart, though Solak noted in his article that he "remains a candidate to start."

The Bengals' faith in All likely stems from what he showed during his abbreviated rookie season, when he out-snapped Mike Gesicki in five of his nine appearances and demonstrated the blocking ability that some of Cincinnati's tight ends may not match. His versatility also allows the offense to use multiple tight-end formations while still disguising whether the play is a run or a pass.

“With the word physical in the dictionary is a picture of Erick All,” head coach Zac Taylor said of All during Bengals' OTAs. “Trying to put his face through somebody’s soul.”

“If he’s healthy, I expect him to lead the TE room in snaps and spring some big plays,” Solak wrote.

A breakout season for All wouldn't require massive receiving numbers. Gesicki is established as a pass-catching option, and with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins drawing much of the rest of the attention, All's biggest value could come from his blocking and early-down work. His ability to stay on the field for both runs and passes would help the offense significantly.

Despite all the upside, health remains the biggest concern after two ACL tears and a full season away from football.

If All regains his physicality on the field, Solak's projection might not be far-fetched. The 25-year-old tight end would give Taylor more freedom in his two-tight-end packages and become an important piece of an offense that already has plenty of star power.

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