Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham is making a significant impact despite lacking the league-leading receiving numbers. (AP)

Being a tight end in the 2009 draft comes with lofty expectations -- particularly when you're  the only one drafted in the first round, as was Cincinnati 's Jermaine Gresham at No. 21.

That draft also produced the Patriots Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and the Saints Jimmy Graham, making it one of the most prolific of all-time for the position.

Though Gresham's production has sparked in flashes of first-round talent, and even a Pro Bowl appearance last season, the gaudy numbers of his draft-class cohorts are noticeably absent.

Marvin Lewis rarely shies away from criticizing Gresham, occasionally knocking his lack of maturity and playbook-knowledge over his young career. Lately, Lewis sees Gresham playing well, even if the stats don't reflect his impact.

In the box score against Jacksonville, Gresham finished with five receptions for 47 yards. In Lewis' eyes, those numbers blind reality.

No play loomed bigger than a pass interference penalty Gresham drew on third-and-5 in the second quarter. With the defender pinning his arm down Gresham continued to fight through the route and nearly snagged the ball with his one free hand. Regardless, it moved Cincinnati from a field goal to first-and-goal at the 1. Two plays later, Andy Dalton connected with Chris Pressley for a lead the Bengals didn't relinquish.

“Drawing the interference call when he keeps hustling after that football and stays on the route gives Andy a chance to get him the football,” Lewis said. “Unfortunately, we have seen guys quit running in those situations. But Jermaine knows he can go in there and post up anybody and go up and get that football.”

The previous week against Washington, Gresham broke multiple tackles on a third-and-long to sneak the team into field goal range for an extra three points.

Against Cleveland, his effort in hanging onto a pass down the sideline put the finishing touches on the victory.

Extra effort on a run added another first down again versus Jacksonville. He was stopped on a screen pass, but fought through the tackle and bullied the defender for a first down.

“On the screen play, he makes a nice run for the first down,” said Lewis, who also complimented Gresham's work in pass protection. “It's man coverage. The guy has him so he just runs right over him until he gets the first down. So things like that.”

Questions involving extra effort and motor aren't asked much any more by Lewis. Gresham's 17 receptions for 178 yards aren't to be confused with Gronk or Graham, but the effort and intangibles don't go unnoticed in the Bengals' film room.

Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter @CBSBengals.