CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals attempted to fill their biggest hole in the first round of the NFL draft, picking tight end Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma with the 21st pick.
It’s only the second time in franchise history that the Bengals selected a tight end in the first round. They picked Mike Cobb with the 22nd overall pick in 1977, when they had three first-round picks.
Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht got hurt early in training camp last season, leaving little at the position. Kelly ruptured an Achilles’ tendon. Utecht had a concussion and was released. Third-round draft pick Chase Coffman struggled with his blocking and was injured, keeping him off the field as a rookie.
