The Cincinnati Bengals added a former LSU teammate of QB Joe Burrow in tight end Thaddeus Moss. The Bengals were interested in adding Moss after he was an undrafted free agent in 2020, but Washington landed him first. He battled injuries throughout his rookie year, and was unable to see the field. This led to his release on April 9th, and the Bengals did not hesitate to add a familiar weapon for Burrow.
LSU Success for Thaddeus Moss and Joe Burrow
The 2019 national champion LSU Tigers were stacked at skill positions, but Moss was still able to break school records as a TE, with 47 catches and 570 receiving yards, to go along with four touchdowns. Moss dominated in their bowl games as well. In the Peach Bowl against Oklahoma, he hauled in four catches, 99 yards and a touchdown. Then, in the National Championship against Clemson, he grabbed two touchdowns on four catches, securing the win for the Tigers.
Moss and Burrow’s chemistry was evident every single game, and if LSU wasn’t so loaded on that side of the ball, Moss would have racked up even better stats. Considering Moss’s injury history, it will be challenging for him to make the final roster. However, starting TE C.J. Uzomah is coming off arguably the worst injury possible, in a torn Achilles’ tendon. Uzomah seems to be progressing well, but if Moss is healthy going into the season, and has continued to work on his game, this could be a great addition for the Bengals.
How Can Thaddeus Moss Help the Bengals?
Tight end is not a strong position for the Bengals, so adding depth is crucial. Drew Sample has been extremely underwhelming and, if Uzomah struggles to come back from his horrific injury, the Bengals could be in trouble.
It does not seem like the Bengals will take TE Kyle Pitts from Florida with the fifth pick, even though he looks like a generational talent in the making. If Moss and Burrow can rekindle their chemistry from their LSU days, and Moss continues to get faster and quicker, then the Bengals could have hit the jackpot. Moss provides a much-needed red zone threat, with his 6-3, 249-pound frame. If Moss makes the roster, Sample continues to develop and Uzomah fully recovers, then the Bengals will be in good position at TE moving forward.
Could the Addition of Moss be a Sign the Bengals Draft Ja’Marr Chase?
Bengals fans and draft experts are essentially clueless on what the Bengals will do with the fifth pick in the NFL Draft. It will either be WR Ja’Marr Chase or OT Penei Sewell. It is intriguing that the Bengals elected to bring aboard another former Burrow teammate, so are they poised to add another weapon from that LSU offense?
When the NFL Draft begins April 29th, the Bengals offense could look very similar to the 2019 National Champion LSU Tigers.
