Tyler Eifert

Tyler Eifert, the 2013 first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, has spent more than half of his career on the sidelines, missing 41 out of a potential 80 regulars season games due to a string of injuries, from a concussion, several stingers, a severe elbow injury (and a torn labrum repaired at the same time), an ankle surgery and, in the last two seasons, multiple disc repairs in his back and a cleanup in his knee.

Despite all the injuries, surgeries and rehabilitation, Eifert never considered retiring.

“No,” he said quickly. “No. If I didn’t think that I could get back to being a dominant player then yeah, I probably would. But there’s no question I can get back to where I’ve been.”

And as of now, “everything is fixed,” he said.

In 24 games since 2014, Eifert has averaged 3.7 catches for 46 yards and 0.75 touchdowns per game. He's a player to monitor closely this offseason. If he lands with a good quarterback and/or in a TE-friendly offense, he would be a worthwhile dart throw in the later rounds.