Cincinnati Bengals:
Rd 2, Pk 41: LB, Jacob Rodriguez
A little undersized, but a high IQ player who is always around the football. He is also a fluid athlete that can give you strong play in man or zone coverage. Someone who can contribute immediately for the Bengals, and some insurance in case last year’s picks at the position continue to struggle.
Rd 3, Pk 72: CB, Keionte Scott
Someone who brings intensity on every snap. He is a great blitzer and can resemble what Mike Hilton did in that area. His downfield coverage is still improving, but he has the short area quickness to stay tight on shifty slot receivers.
Rd 4, Pk 110: S, Bud Clark
A highly instinctive player that has a knack for creating turnovers. He is also solid as a run defender. He isn’t an elite athlete and there are times where his aggressiveness gets him into trouble. But in time, the mistakes can be ironed out, while his IQ makes up for any slight athletic issues.
Rd 5, Pk 189: OT, Jude Bowry
An elite athlete. Probably the smoothest OT in this class. His technique needs a lot of work and he will need to get stronger. The Bengals seem happy with Cody Ford as the swing tackle, so they have some time to take a high upside player that they can develop.
Rd 6 Pk 199: DE, Mason Reiger
A high motor and a good athlete. He can win around the edge with speed, and his consistent pursuit has translated against the run, as well. His frame is on the lean side, and he will need to add some rush moves to his repertoire, but this is a high upside player that hasn’t generated much buzz during the pre-draft process, despite a great performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Rd 7, Pk 221: WR, Cyrus Allen
A twitched up athlete and dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is undersized and has issues handling contact at the catch point. But for the Bengals, this offers a much different skill set than they have in the WR room currently. Diversifying the unit with someone who is smaller, shiftier, and can make plays after the catch, would add a nice element to the offence.
Rd 7, Pk 226: QB, Taylen Green
The Bengals re-signed Joe Flacco, but he won’t be around forever. I’m not big on potential game managers with limited talent, as far as late round QB’s go. But this pick would be the opposite. Strong arm, great athleticism to work with, while mechanics and mental processing need to be improved. He might not make it this far down, but if he does, he would serve as a nice developmental QB behind Burrow and Flacco.
