Ex-RU Tight End Signs With Bengals

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Former Rutgers tight end signed his contract with the team that drafted him in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft. The Downington, Pa. native inked a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving the team with only one unsigned draft pick remaining (first-round offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi).

Kroft is expected to play extensively this season as the No. 2 tight end behind three-year veteran Tyler Eifert. The team did not re-sign Jermaine Gresham.

Kroft spent heavy time with tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes at the school’s Pro Day where he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash. Kroft knew the Bengals were interested as Hayes seemingly worked all day with the 85th pick in the draft, but things got even more serious when ex-Rutgers star receiver (and current Bengal) Mohamed Sanu urged the team to select Kroft.

“He is a guy we had targeted as fit what we were looking for in this draft, the best of the tight end prospects,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis told Ryan Dunleavy of the Asbury Park Press of Kroft.

“We feel really good about him and his ability to be an all-around tight end and a guy who has a lot of ability to continue to grow and have great upside both as a blocker and a receiver of the football. He has a great feel for route-running and a feel for moving leverage away from defenders.”

The two-year starter at Rutgers compiled 901 receiving yards on 70 catches and five touchdowns.

Kroft joins Michael Burton (Lions) as the other drafted Scarlet Knights to sign with their respective teams.

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