Who Should I Start? Tanner Hudson or Hunter Long

Friday, March 7, 1:05 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Tanner Hudson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov. In his second year with the Bengals in 2024, Hudson regressed and had only 19 receptions on 23 targets for 154 yards and one touchdown in 11 games while Mike Gesicki was the team's third leading receiver behind wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The 30-year-old missed six weeks with two knee injuries last year, which also didn't help his cause. However, if the Bengals fail to re-sign Mike Gesicki this offseason, Hudson could be primed to be the team's top pass-catching tight end in 2025. Without Gesicki around in 2023, Hudson had the best season of his career, but it only yielded 39 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 12 games (one start).

Wednesday, July 10, 9:10 PM

Working in Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long's favor is the fact that Tyler Higbee (knee) probably isn't going to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. That lone could land Long a spot on the 53-man roster to open the year if Higbee starts on the Physically Unable to Perform list. However, the Rams added Colby Parkinson in the offseason and love the potential of Davis Allen. If one of Nikola Kalinic or Neal Johnson emerges in training camp and the preseason, Long could be out of a roster spot. The 25-year-old finished last year on Injured Reserve after having surgery on his MCL but he was taking part in organized team activities this offseason and should be ready to go this fall. In just four games played in 2023, Long wasn't targeted at all while playing 54 offensive snaps for the Rams.