When the Cincinnati Bengals selected tight end Jack Endries with the 221st overall pick in the seventh round, they may have landed a hidden gem for quarterback Joe Burrow. Let's dive into what makes this rookie an intriguing addition to the Bengals' offense.

Endries brings an unconventional football journey to Cincinnati. Growing up in Danville, California, he spent his childhood playing soccer, swimming, and baseball—football wasn't even on his radar until high school. What finally sparked his interest? Fantasy football. When his friends started drafting teams, Endries wanted in, and the rest is history. He attended Monte Vista High School, an alma mater that includes Super Bowl champion tight end Zach Ertz and NFL veterans like Nate Landman and Jake Haener.

His college career started at California, where he spent three seasons catching passes from quarterback Fernando Mendoza. That name might sound familiar—Mendoza went on to transfer to Indiana, win the Heisman Trophy, go undefeated at 16-0, capture a National Championship, and become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In two playing seasons with Mendoza at Cal, Endries racked up 91 receptions for 1,030 yards and four touchdowns.

But that's not the only elite quarterback connection on Endries' résumé. After transferring to Texas for the 2025 season, he joined forces with Arch Manning—the current favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Last season, Endries posted 33 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns while working with Manning. The potential for Burrow to develop similar chemistry with this rookie tight end is an exciting prospect for Bengals fans.

Endries' path to the NFL is a reminder that great players can come from unexpected places. Whether he's blocking in the trenches or slipping out for a key third-down catch, this seventh-round pick has the tools and the story to become a fan favorite in Cincinnati.