(07-31-2025, 11:33 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: TY

I think that tells us the team is not ready to give on a 2nd year draft pick in my opinion. I like Hudson, but not sure he can see the field if Sample, Gesicki and Fant are healthy. Maybe the Saints or Dolphins who are cap strapped would give us a 7th round pick for him, probably not but if they are in major need maybe.

Quote:"He gives you even more flexibility," Taylor said about Fant. "You got a player that's really a plus player in both the run and the pass, and so at the point of attack, blocking, backside of blocking and protection can help you, but also really explosive as a receiver, great size, great explosiveness, really good hands, tough to bring down. I think that's another weapon, anytime we can add weapons like that and Erick All played that role for us last year as well. So, again, we really feel good about where our with our tight end room."

(07-31-2025, 11:31 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Since All went down, I have been harping on the need for a TE who can block & catch. Who does not give the play away bybtheircpresence on the field. Sample/Grandy are virtually non-existent route runners, snd Gesicki/Hudson are de facto slot receivers. Van barely play in-line. 

But the FA TE market was slim pickings, and most of the draftable TEs were gone before we picked (Warren, Loveland) or Gesicki types or we had other more pressing needs (OG, pass rush).

Fant isn't a stud, but he is at least a credible 2-way, in-line TE. 

This off-season, I thought our highest priority was getting deals for Chase,,Tee, & Trey done. After that:

Starters: OG (x2), pass rush (DT & DE), S, TE1, 
Depth: RB2 & OT3 

OG: Fairchild & Patrick + brought Ford back.

Pass rush: drafted Stewart, brought Ossai & C. Sample back, brought BJ Hill back brought in Bryan. 

S: nothing. We revamped LB instead. 

Run defense: Slaton. And maybe Knight.

TE: Fant + Gesicki & Hudson & Grandy re-signed.

RB2: Perine & Brooks 

OT3: Brought Ford back, drafted Rivers.
-----------------

Aside from S, each need has been addressed. Now, I thought our cap management (Tee & Chase, Burrow restructure) could have been better. And Trey's deal isn't done yet. And I can certainly wuibnle with some of the draft choices and the quality of some of the additions. And note that a lot of the moves were bringing back our own FA's........

But it is undeniable we have touched almost all the bases. And there were A LOT of bases to touch. It was almost gonna be impossible to touch them all. 

[b]Assuming a Trey deal gets done, I don't see any way the off-season isn't in the B range. Gimmee one more smart vet signing (G or S) and it is surely B+/A-.[ /b]

(07-31-2025, 11:31 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Fant isn't a stud, but he is at least a credible 2-way, in-line TE. I think he should help our offense in ways beyond his own blocking & catching. Now the D will have a harder time knowing what is coming. 



What this means for the TE room, IDK. We kept 5 last year. Gesicki is surely safe. And Fant. Fant is a better receiver than blocker, so this being bad news for Hudson seems the simplest conclusion.  McLachlan was at the bottom of the totem pole last year, he barely played, so you can make a case for him getting bumped. Grandy is probably the least likely to get claimed by another team, and Taylor can possibly fill his role backing up Sample has the blocker. But if we need cap space, it is probably Sample, and he graded out the worst (by a wide margin) of the 4 who played last year. 

(07-31-2025, 10:22 AM)Tomcat Wrote: Bengals signing Fant per Schefter.

(07-31-2025, 10:29 AM)Au165 Wrote: I really like how this frees us up to move Mike G all around the (Slot/Outside) for the size advantage while still have a capable catch and run option attached to the line.

(07-31-2025, 10:47 AM)pally Wrote: Hudson plays…McLachlan doesnt

(07-31-2025, 11:52 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Do we have any hints at the contract details with Fant?

(07-31-2025, 11:55 AM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Wow. That would be a very nice pickup. 

Hey Luvnit, check this out.

Way to go Front Office!

(07-31-2025, 11:52 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Do we have any hints at the contract details with Fant?

(07-31-2025, 11:55 AM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Wow. That would be a very nice pickup. 

Hey Luvnit, check this out.

Way to go Front Office!

(07-31-2025, 11:37 AM)pally Wrote: Whoever is the last TE on the roster will be lucky to even be active on game days.  It is going to come down to their special team play

Zac on Noah

(07-31-2025, 12:20 PM)PhilHos Wrote: I'm kinda hoping it's a multi-year deal because it'd be awesome to have Fant AND All available at the same time.


Who are you and what have you done with rfaulk34?