PFF predicts Bengals' new weapon 'becomes key contributor'

The Bengals may already have the best group of weapons among the rest of the NFL, but Pro Football Focus believes they gave QB Joe Burrow another reliable playmaker this offseason.

PFF predicts TE Irv Smith Jr., who signed a one-year, $1.75M deal with Cincinnati in March, "becomes a key contributor for the Bengals" in 2023.

Smith Jr. has shown flashes of why he was a second-round pick in 2019 with 91 catches for 858 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. But he has struggled to stay healthy, missing all of 2021 with a torn meniscus and playing in just eight games in 2022 after suffering an ankle injury.

"For years, the feeling every offseason has been “if only Irv Smith Jr. could stay healthy," PFF writes. "Joe Burrow has been friendly to tight ends during his time in the NFL, and if Smith can stay healthy this year, he could be a weapon in this offense."

A similar scenario played out last offseason when the Bengals took a one-year flier on TE Hayden Hurst, a former first-rounder who had underwhelmed in his career. He turned into a reliable weapon for Burrow and got rewarded with a three-year, $21.75M deal with the Panthers this offseason.

Smith Jr. must be hoping he can capitalize on his time in Cincinnati, whether it's just this year or not. 

Of course, he won't be a top-three option with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd likely getting most of the targets. But Smith Jr. can still establish himself as a reliable fourth option.

Smith Jr.'s career has been a big "What if?" up to this point. He must prove he still belongs in the league in 2023.