The Cincinnati Bengals will look to improve upon a 10-5-1 record from a season ago. After a quite offseason, Cincinnati will look to cash in on the Draft. This draft will be all about strengthen the defense and building pieces around Andy Dalton. After an 0-4 record in the playoffs one can only wonder what this time could accomplish if Dalton wasn’t the quarterback. Nevertheless it appears Dalton will not be going anywhere after cashing in on a mega contract so the team will precede to build around him.
A talented roster filled with A.J. Green, Jeremy Hill, and Giovanni Bernard; the only direction the team can go with offensively in the first round is the offensive line. In my mock draft I selected Brandon Scherff from Iowa. This would be a dream scenario for cincy as Scheff is regarded as one of the top guards in the draft. One can only hope he can match the production of Zack Martin from a year ago, yet that is unlikely. If the Bengals decide to skip the offensive line they will likely pursue a defensive player.
The real hole for the defense starts up front. The team had a total of 20 sacks on the season. By comparison Justin Houston of the Chiefs had 22 by himself a season ago. The return of Michael Johnson will help but there is still work that needs to be done. Malcom Brown out of Texas could be a good fit to slide along side of Geno Atkins. I’m not the biggest fan of Brown because of his motor issues, but there are great options later in the draft along the defensive front. Michael Bennett from Ohio State and Grady Jarrett from Clemson are two players who can become day one starters being available in the middle of the 2nd round.
Below is the list of players the Bengals have met with and Every draft selection.
Prospects associated with the Bengals:
» E.J. Bibbs, TE, Iowa State: Bengals TE coach attends pro day
» Landon Collins, SS, Alabama: Collins worked out by Bengals DB coach at pro day
» Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke: Bengals assistants check out pro day
» Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky: Bengals showing draft interest in Dupree
» Fabbians Ebbele, OT, Arizona: Ebbele works out for Bengals
» Devin Gardner, QB/WR, Michigan: Gardner says he worked out for Bengals
» Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston: Bengals coach at Houston’s pro day
» D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida: Humphries has visit lined up with Bengals
» Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA: Hundley meets with Bengals QBs coach at combine
» Darius Kilgo, DT, Maryland: 3-year starting DT to visit with Bengals
» Arie Kouandjio, OG, Alabama: Bengals coach conducts pro day workout
» Jake Kumerow, WR, Wisconsin-Whitewater: Big Division III WR scheduled workout with Bengals
» Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: Bengals WR coach at Lockett’s pro day
» MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois: Bengals get good look at fast-rising TE prospect
» Edmond Robinson, OLB, Newberry: Bengals LB coach at Newberry’s pro day
» Davis Tull, OLB, Tennessee-Chattanooga: Bengals LB coach watches Tull’s pro day
» Terrell Watson, RB, Azusa Pacific: Division II RB to work out for Bengals
First round: 21st overall selection
Second round: 53rd overall selection
Third round: 85th overall selection
Third round (compensatory pick): 99th overall selection
Fourth round: 120th overall selection
Fourth round (compensatory pick): 135th overall selection
Fifth round: 157th overall selection
Sixth round: 196th overall selection
Seventh round: 238th overall selection
