Film Room: Tanner McLachlan

The Bengals are tight end rich, and I am here for it.

After sitting out of the tight end arms race in the last few classes, the Cincinnati Bengals double-dipped in the 2024 NFL Draft. Arizona’s Tanner McLachlan has excellent speed and is a proven playmaker.

Let’s take a look at what McLachlan brings to the jungle.

McLachlin is a real threat in the seam, which would bring an exciting component to the Bengals offense.

In the first clip, Arizona runs four verticals out of a 3×1 set, with the tight end, McLachlin, as the third receiver on the top of the screen. McLachlin runs the bender route, taking him across the formation and up the opposite seam. The quarterback throws a bullet high and behind him, but McLachlin makes a great adjustment to haul it in.

From the shadow of their own end zone, McLaughlin took them to the 34-yard line.

After a chip block, McLachlin bursts past the linebacker and adjusts to catch a pass that was a bit behind him. Then he accelerates and leaves the safety in the dust on his way to the end zone.

McLachlin’s speed is a major asset before and after the catch.

But he’s not all speed. McLachlin has the strength to shake off would-be tacklers to pick up extra yards as well.

In this clip, he turns what should be no gain into a touchdown.

This clip might just be what made him a Bengal.

This ball is way off target and sails over his head into the arms of a defender. This was a potential pick-six, but an incredible effort by McLachlan prevented that from happening. Without hesitation, he pursued and brought down the defender.

McLachlan is an excellent addition to the Bengals tight end room who adds yet another playmaker to the Bengals’ passing attack.