The Bengals haven't drafted a tight end since taking Matt Schobel in the third round out of TCU in 2002.

Maybe this is the year.

If not Fred Davis (Southern Cal), Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) or John Carlson (Notre Dame) in the top two rounds on April 26, then what about Gary Barnidge in a later round on April 27?

Louisville's 6-foot-5, 244-pound slugger made his pitch at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday.

The guy he tries to emulate? Baltimore Ravens star Todd Heap.

"He's been a good blocker and a great pass catcher in the league," Barnidge said. "I love the way he plays, and I see myself as both. I don't want to be looked at as one-dimensional. I want to be known as a guy who can stretch the field and also be a blocker. I feel I can help a team both ways."

Barnidge doesn't have an elite 40-yard dash time — he's been clocked in the 4.6 to 4.7-second range. But he knows how to release downfield, find openings in the secondary, elude defenders and accelerate with his deceptive speed.