Why Tanner McLachlan Has “Steal Of The Draft” Potential
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bengals had a full-but-underwhelming tight end room. They signed Mike Gesicki from the Patriots to a one year deal, and they re-signed Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson to three and one year deals, respectively. While it’s a serviceable tight end room, Bengals fans have long wanted a player who can move the needle and become an elite target for Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati didn’t make a move for Brock Bowers like many fans had hoped for. However, they did select two tight ends in this year’s draft, which is the first time they’ve double dipped on tight ends in a single draft since 2015 (Tyler Kroft and CJ Uzomah).
The first tight end they selected was Iowa’s Erick All, who the Bengals drafted in the fourth round after bringing him in for a Top 30 visit. The second tight end they drafted is being regarded as a player who could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
STEAL#Bengals get my TE3 Tanner McLachlan.
Only reason he is available still is because he has short arms.
This guy was an absolute weapon for Arizona. He consistently gets open, catches the ball and makes big plays.— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) April 27, 2024
Tanner McLachlan was the number one player available on Mel Kiper’s big board upon being selected with the 194th overall pick in 2024. When he learned that the Bengals selected, he had an overjoyed reaction to the news.
“Just pure joy,” McLachlan said. “I’m excited to come be part of that organization, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got to not only Cincinnati, but that Bengals’ organization.”
Even though he was selected in the sixth round, McLachlan was regarded as one of the better receiving tight ends in the draft. In two seasons at Arizona, he caught 79 passes for 984 yards and six touchdowns. His total of 79 receptions is now the all time record at Arizona, surpassing an Arizona alum who happens to be one of the NFL’s all time great tight ends.
TE Tanner McLachlan (76 career receptions) passes Rob Gronkowski (75) for the most by a tight end in program history #BearDown
— Brett Gleason (@brett_gleason) November 25, 2023
He was even recently regarded by Field Yates as one of the best selections of the sixth round.
“(Tanner) McLachlan was one of my favorite sleepers in the class and my 113th-ranked player,” Yates said. “He has excellent size (6-foot-5, 244 pounds) and is an instinctive/smooth route runner with really good skills after the catch. Cincinnati was a rare team that leaned on a legitimate rotation of tight ends in 2023 (four consistently saw playtime), and McLachlan figures to be a part of something similar, with Mike Gesicki and fellow draftee Erick All also with the Bengals this season.”
McLachlan is a high upside prospect, particularly as a receiving tight end. He has reliable hands, he has a high football IQ, and he has good control of his body, which helps him adjust to imperfect passes. He also plays with an aggression, which helps him fight for extra yardage, and in some cases, find paydirt.
Tanner McLachlan breaking tackles pic.twitter.com/DdZclS9TE2
— Matt (@CoachMinich) May 4, 2024
He does have his fair share of drawbacks as a player, though. He has room to improve in terms of blocking technique and route running. In addition, he’s an older prospect (he turned 25 in March); however, he is playing a position that is seeing its players produce at a high level, even as they advance in age.
Tanner McLachlan is an older prospect, but he has a natural smoothness in his play style that I can see translating pic.twitter.com/aQ3HYJ0Jrm
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 25, 2024
When asked about his advanced age, he believes that it’s more of a positive than a negative.
“I believe it to be a benefit,” McLachlan said. “I’ve always been kind of a late bloomer, and I’m going to ride with it. My age is what it is, and I’m excited to go out there and continue to develop. I think my best ball is ahead of me.”
One analyst who was a particular fan of McLachlan was NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. He had McLachlan rated as the number two tight end in the draft, only behind Brock Bowers. Jeremiah believed that McLachlan had the potential to be a day two selection.
“I was a big fan of his game,” Jeremiah said. “He does really good work in the middle of the field. I think it’s an instinct position. He’s got as good of instincts as anybody in the draft at that spot. Being able to work in space, find holes, accelerate through the ball, trust his hands. His effort is there. I don’t think he’s going to win any awards in the run game. The effort’s there. There’s enough want-to that you can work with him. I’m a fan.”
In addition to McLachlan’s skill set, he will be catching passes from Joe Burrow, who has a history of maximizing the potential of his tight ends. Previous tight ends CJ Uzomah and Hayden Hurst have played well enough with Burrow that they were able to find long term contracts with other teams.
The rookie out of Arizona is eager for the opportunity to play with standout skill players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
“I can’t wait to be around guys like that,” McLachlan said. “Whatever is asked of me, I’m excited to go do it, and do it to the best of my abilities. Overwhelmed again, and I’m so excited to go play with those guys, and I’m just looking forward to it all.”
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