Tyler Kroft
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Tyler Kroft
| image = Tyler Kroft.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Kroft with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|10|15}}
| birth_place = West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 252
| high_school = Downingtown East
(Lionville, Pennsylvania)
| college = Rutgers
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 85
| pastteams = * Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights = * First-team All-AAC (2013)
| statweek =
| statseason = 2023
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 105
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,081
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 13
| pfr = KrofTy00
}}
Tyler Kroft (born October 15, 1992) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football at Rutgers. He was drafted in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2015 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has also played for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.
Early life
Kroft attended Downingtown East High School in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He played tight end and wide receiver for the football team. He was rated by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft, 2011 Tight End, Rutgers |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/tyler-kroft-36653?view=pv |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} He committed to Rutgers University to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Funk |first=Joshua |date=June 20, 2010 |title=Downingtown East TE Tyler Kroft verbally commits to Rutgers |url=https://www.pennlive.com/westernpafootball/2010/06/downingtown_east_te_tyler_krof.html |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=pennlive |language=en}} He is of German descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-players-pay-homage-to-their-heritage-through-league-wide-initiative|title=49ers Players Pay Homage to their Heritage Through League-Wide Initiative|website=www.49ers.com}}
College career
Kroft was redshirted as a freshman in 2011 at Rutgers. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, he played in 11 games and had three receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Sugam |first=Matt |date=August 16, 2013 |title=Tyler Kroft missing valuable time to become complete tight end |url=http://snyrutgers.com/rutgers/football/tyler-kroft-missing-valuable-time-to-become-complete-tight-end/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231035934/http://snyrutgers.com/rutgers/football/tyler-kroft-missing-valuable-time-to-become-complete-tight-end/# |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=December 31, 2014 |website=SNYRutgers.com}} As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, Kroft started 12 of 13 games, including a career-best 133 yards against Arkansas.{{Cite web |title=Arkansas at Rutgers Box Score, September 21, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-09-21-rutgers.html |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On the season, he had a team-leading 43 receptions and 573 yards, along with four touchdowns,{{Cite web |title=2013 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/rutgers/2013.html |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Barto |first=Tyler |date=September 1, 2014 |title=Rutgers' Tyler Kroft developing into elite tight end |url=https://www.trentonian.com/sports/rutgers-tyler-kroft-developing-into-elite-tight-end/article_19ccb833-0217-5c7c-8f21-4606a7504ea2.html |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=The Trentonian |language=en}} and was a first-team all-conference selection. Kroft started 12 of 13 games as a redshirt junior in 2014, but took on a restricted role and reached neither five receptions nor 50 yards in any of them. On the season, he had 24 receptions for 269 yards.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft Career Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tyler-kroft-1/gamelog/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He was awarded the "Loyal Knight" award for his willingness to scale back.{{Cite web |title=2016 Rutgers Football Media Guide |url=http://www.scarletknights.com/news/2016/7/27/2016_Rutgers_Football_Media_Guide.aspx |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Rutgers University |language=en}}
After his redshirt junior season, he entered the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2014 |title=Rutgers TE Tyler Kroft leaving for the 2015 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rutgers-te-tyler-kroft-leaving-for-the-2015-nfl-draft-0ap3000000452028 |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sargeant |first=Keith |date=December 30, 2014 |title=Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft declares for NFL Draft |url=http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2014/12/rutgers_tight_end_tyler_kroft_declares_for_nfl_draft.html |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=NJ.com}} He finished his collegiate career with 70 receptions for 901 yards and five touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tyler-kroft-1.html |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Receiving | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2012 | Rutgers
| 11 || 3 || 59 || 19.7 || 1 | ||||
| 2013 | Rutgers
| 13 || 43 || 573 || 13.3 || 4 | ||||
| 2014 | Rutgers
| 10 || 24 || 269 || 11.2 || 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tyler-kroft-1.html Career] | 34 | 70 | 901 | 12.9 | 5 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 1/2
| weight = 246
| dash = 4.75
| ten split = 1.65
| twenty split = 2.79
| shuttle = 4.50
| cone drill = 7.18
| vertical = 34.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 17
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9 5/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-kroft/32004b52-4f07-4538-e9e1-c9aaa1853924 |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2015 Draft Scout Tyler Kroft, Rutgers NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=105587&DraftYear=2015 |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
Kroft was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2015 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Marcum |first=Jason |date=May 1, 2015 |title=NFL Draft 2015: Bengals select Rutgers TE Tyler Kroft |url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/1/8532995/nfl-draft-2015-bengals-nab-rutgers-te-tyler-kroft |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=CincyJungle.com}} He played back-up to Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert. He caught his first career touchdown in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers on a 20-yard pass from A. J. McCarron.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – December 28th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512280den.htm |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He played in all 16 games his rookie season with six starts, recording 11 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Kroft was third on the depth chart behind Eifert and C. J. Uzomah for much of the 2016 season, compiling ten receptions for 92 yards off the bench.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Kroft began the 2017 season behind Tyler Eifert, but after Eifert was injured in Week 2, Kroft took the starting role. In Week 4, he had six receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns, leading the team and setting career bests in all three categories. In Week 9, he had a career-long 59-yard reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars en route to a career-best 79 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – October 1st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710010cle.htm |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars – November 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711050jax.htm |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Weeks 11 and 12 he had back-to-back receiving touchdowns for the first time in his career, both of one yard;{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft Career Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/ |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} the one in Week 11 occurred after teammate Dre Kirkpatrick returned an interception 101 yards, but committed an unforced fumble just before reaching the end zone.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – November 19th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711190den.htm |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the 2017 season with 42 receptions for 404 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In 2018, Kroft suffered a foot injury in Week 5 and missed the next five games in hopes he could return. He was placed on injured reserve on November 16, 2018, officially ending his season.{{Cite web |last=Toback |first=Rebecca |date=November 16, 2018 |title=Bengals TE Tyler Kroft's season is over; LB Brandon Bell promoted from practice squad |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/11/16/18098924/bengals-te-tyler-krofts-season-is-over-lb-brandon-bell-promoted-from-practice-squad |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=CincyJungle.com}} He played in five games and finished with four receptions for 36 yards.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On March 13, 2019, Kroft signed a three-year $18.75 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=March 11, 2019 |title=Koft agrees to deal with Bills |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/03/11/tyler-kroft-agrees-to-deal-with-bills/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Chris |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Offense dominates Bills initial wave of 2019 free agent additions |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/offense-dominates-bills-initial-wave-of-2019-free-agent-additions |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} On May 20, on the first day of organized team activities, he broke his foot during practice, which required surgery.{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=May 21, 2019 |title=Bills tight end Tyler Kroft breaks foot in OTAs, needs surgery |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/05/21/bills-tight-end-tyler-kroft-breaks-foot-in-otas-needs-surgery/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}} Kroft finished the season with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, which he scored during a Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter, allowing the Bills to win 17–10 and clinch a playoff spot.{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2019 |title=Bills clinch playoff spot, defeat Steelers, 17–10 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/josh-allens-fourth-quarter-td-tops-steelers-lands-bills-in-playoffs |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=FOX News |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Rams, Kroft filled in for injured starter Dawson Knox, catching four passes for 24 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score from Josh Allen as Buffalo won 35–32.{{Cite web |last=Paylor |first=Terez |date=September 27, 2020 |title=How far can the Bills go with Josh Allen? That's completely up to him. |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/how-far-can-the-bills-go-with-josh-allen-thats-completely-up-to-him-020352692.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=sports.yahoo.com |language=en-US}} Kroft was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 14, 2020,{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2020 |title=Josh Norman tests positive for COVID-19, 3 other players placed on reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/josh-norman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-3-other-players-placed-on-reserve-covid- |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=BuffaloBills.com |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220090856/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/josh-norman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-3-other-players-placed-on-reserve-covid- |url-status=dead }} and activated on November 19.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Bills take Levi Wallace, Tyler Kroft, Dean Marlowe off COVID-19 list |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/19/bills-take-levi-wallace-tyler-kroft-dean-marlowe-off-covid-19-list/ |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=NBCSports.com}} He was placed back on the COVID-19 list on January 2, 2021,{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2021 |title=Tyler Kroft placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list + four players elevated for Bills vs. Dolphins |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/tyler-kroft-placed-on-the-reserve-covid-19-list-four-players-elevated-for-bills- |access-date=February 13, 2021 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} and activated again two days later.{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2021 |title=Bills' Tyler Kroft: Quick move off COVID-19 list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bills-tyler-kroft-quick-move-off-covid-19-list/ |access-date=February 13, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com}} Overall, he finished the 2020 season with 12 receptions for 119 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New York Jets=
Kroft signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets on March 22, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Jets Sign TE Tyler Kroft |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-te-tyler-kroft |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} On November 9, 2021, Kroft was placed on injured reserve after suffering a chest injury in Week 9.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Jets Sign S Elijah Riley, Place S Marcus Maye & TE Tyler Kroft on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-s-elijah-riley-place-s-marcus-maye-te-tyler-kroft-on-injured-reserve |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He was activated on December 18.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=December 18, 2021 |title=Jets Activate RB Michael Carter, TE Tyler Kroft, DE Bryce Huff and OL Chuma Edoga Off Injured Reserve |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-rb-michael-carter-te-tyler-kroft-de-bryce-huff-and-ol-chuma-edoga- |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}
Kroft finished the season with 16 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in nine games, starting six.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=Sports-Reference, LLC. |language=en}}
=San Francisco 49ers=
On May 23, 2022, Kroft signed with the 49ers.{{Cite web |last=Madson |first=Kyle |date=May 24, 2022 |title=49ers roster moves: TE Tyler Kroft officially added, DL Chris Slayton released |url=https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/23/49ers-roster-moves-te-tyler-kroft-chris-slayton/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Niners Wire |language=en-US}} He was released by San Francisco during final roster cuts on August 30, but re–signed with the team the following day.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2022 |title=49ers Announce 2022 Initial 53-Man Roster Ahead of NFL Deadline |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/2022-53-man-roster-nfl-deadline-sudfeld-hasty-poe-johnson-spence |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=49ers.com}} He appeared in 11 games and started four in the 2022 season.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Kroft was the subject of criticism following the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, as he was lined up on the right side of the offensive line when Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick collided with quarterback Brock Purdy's arm, resulting in a Ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow that led to Purdy being ruled out for the rest of the game. Many in the media attributed blame towards Kyle Shanahan's play-calling, citing it as confusing and negligent.{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Jose |date=January 29, 2023 |title=Brock Purdy's Injury Ends 49ers' Super Bowl Hopes in 31-7 Loss to Eagles |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/gameday/brock-purdys-injury-ends-49ers-super-bowl-hopes-in-31-7-loss-to-eagles/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
= Miami Dolphins =
On May 9, 2023, Kroft signed with the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Miami Dolphins Sign Tyler Kroft |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-tyler-kroft |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}} He appeared in eight games with the Dolphins in the 2023 season.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Kroft 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KrofTy00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="5"| Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2015 | CIN
| 16 || 11 || 129 || 11.7 || 22 || 1 | |||||
| 2016 | CIN
| 14 || 10 || 92 || 9.2 || 21 || 0 | |||||
| 2017 | CIN
| 13 || 42 || 404 || 9.6 || 59 || 7 | |||||
| 2018 | CIN
| 5 || 4 || 36 || 9.0 || 16 || 0 | |||||
| 2019 | BUF
| 11 || 6 || 71 || 11.8 || 20 || 1 | |||||
| 2020 | BUF
| 7 || 10 || 107 || 10.7 || 38 || 2 | |||||
| 2021 | NYJ
| 9 || 16 || 173 || 10.8 || 26 || 1 | |||||
| colspan="2"| Career | 81 | 101 | 1,024 | 10.1 | 59 | 13 |
Personal life
Kroft is married and has two children.{{Cite web |last=Prusak |first=Heather |date=October 24, 2020 |title=Why Tyler and Lexi Kroft's baby girl has the 'clutch gene' |url=https://www.wivb.com/sports/tyler-kroft-avoids-covid-19-exposure-while-his-wife-lexi-gave-birth-to-their-baby-girl/ |access-date=October 25, 2020 |website=WIVB-TV}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://scarletknights.com/sports/football/roster/tyler-kroft/525 Rutgers Scarlet Knights bio]
{{Bengals2015DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kroft, Tyler}}
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Sportspeople from Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights football players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Players of American football from Chester County, Pennsylvania