​The Cincinnati Bengals have quietly added a noteworthy piece to their offense this year in Erick All. The fourth-round pick from the 2024 draft sat out the entire previous season while recovering from complications after ACL surgery, but the Bengals are hopeful that he can be a central figure in 2026, health permitting. All stands out as the most versatile tight end on Cincinnati’s roster, and that potential has earned him a “breakout candidate” label from ESPN analyst Ben Solak.
Solak highlighted that All outsnapped incumbent tight end Mike Gesicki in five of the nine games All played as a rookie, underscoring his value as more than just a traditional inline blocker. He noted that All provides a much-needed blocking dimension to Cincinnati’s rushing attack, and he predicted that if All remains healthy, he could lead the tight end room in snaps and ignite big plays for the offense. All’s rookie-year tape painted him as a dynamic weapon who could stretch the field and create mismatches, capable of contributing in multiple ways beyond the typical duties of a pure inline tight end.
Unlike Gesicki, who has often operated primarily as a slot receiver, and Drew Sample, who is more of a blocker, All brings a blend of skills that can keep defenses on their toes. He has the agility and ball-tracking ability to threaten defenses in the middle of the field, while also translating that threat into run-game augmentations through his blocking and route execution. This combination makes him a unique threat, capable of causing defensive confusion and mismatches that can open opportunities for teammates and the offense as a whole.
All’s injury history has undeniably affected his draft stock, which is part of why he slipped to the fourth round. If not for those long-running health concerns, there’s a strong argument that his ceiling could have prompted a much earlier selection. The Bengals clearly saw enough of his potential and versatility to take a chance on him, banking on his ability to stay healthy and to contribute across multiple facets of the offense.
If All can stay on the field for the majority of a season, Cincinnati’s offense could experience a meaningful uptick. His ability to function as a dynamic, multi-dimensional threat fits well with the Bengals’ offensive philosophy, which values versatility at the tight end position and aims to exploit mismatches in the middle of the field. In that scenario, All could realistically emerge as a breakout player, amplifying the Bengals’ scoring opportunities and adding a new layer of explosiveness to a unit that already features capable playmakers.
This assessment rests on health, yes, but it also hinges on how well the coaching staff integrates All into the game plan. If he can consistently demonstrate the ability to contribute as a receiver and as a blocker, he could become a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s offense in the coming years. The promise is there: a tight end who can do it all—line up in-line, split out as a receiver, block, and create mismatches—could transform how defenses approach the Bengals and, in turn, elevate the entire offense.
This synopsis is based on early-season observations and expert commentary that positions All as a potential breakout candidate. If everything aligns—health, development, and a continued trajectory of improvement—All could be the epic comeback story for the Bengals’ offense, signaling a new era of versatility and impact at the tight end position.