7 Bengals fits no one is talking about

These 7 would be Magnificent for the Bengals

The NFL Draft is almost here!

At this point, it seems like we’ve talked about everybody, but these seven players are not being talked about enough as potential fits for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cooper DeJean – Defensive Back – Iowa – Projection: Round 1

In the immortal words of Master Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, “You have youth, I have experience, but only those who fight now have both.”

Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell is a burner, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold is a technician, but Iowa’s Cooper DeJean is both. On top of that he has incredible ball skills and makes fantastic reads in zone coverage.

When he gets the ball in his hands, he is an even greater threat, scoring touchdowns on three of his five interceptions in 2022 and taking a punt return to the house in 2023.

If the Bengals decide to take a cornerback in Round 1, DeJean is the best fit.

Blake Fisher – Offensive Tackle – Notre Dame – Projection: Round 2

With the amount of offensive tackle talent at the top of the board, it feels like there is about a 99.9 percent chance that the Bengals look for a long-term answer on the right side in Round 1. Should they elect to go a different route, taking Blake Fisher in Round 2 would make a lot of sense.

Fisher shows explosive power in the run game and is a great fit for the Bengals down-blocking scheme. He has an excellent anchor as a pass-blocker, and if not often driven back by bull-rushers. Speed on the edge can give him issues, and he has some technique breakdowns, but having just turned 21, he has an excellent chance to develop working behind Trent Brown for a year.

Brandon Dorlus – Defensive Tackle – Oregon – Projection: Round 2-3

Brandon Dorlus is billed by some as a defensive end, but his best position is defensive tackle. Oregon’s defensive line often lines up unusually wide, so even when he was playing tackle, he was often in a 4 technique (over the offensive tackle).

The 6-foot-3, 282-pound Dorlus is an absolute monster. He has quick hands and feet that allow him to get into the backfield and disrupt the offense. Dorlus also has a powerful bull rush that instantly collapses the pocket.

Dorlus has the potential to be a dominant three-technique in the NFL.

Cooper Beebe – Guard – Kansas State – Projection: Round 2-3

Cooper Beebe is what I like to call a people-mover. At 6-foot-3 and 322 pounds, he is one of the biggest interior linemen in the class. He possesses the hip and leg strength to drive his opponent down the field and open up huge holes in the run game. In pass protection, he can sit back and take on power rushers without being pushed back. Beebe could come in and take the left guard job as a rookie.

Jared Wiley – Tight End – Texas Christian – Projection: Round 3

Jared Wiley is one of the most savvy route-runners at the tight end position in this year’s draft. He has a knack for finding space and getting open. When he gets the ball in his hands, he has the speed to take it the distance. He has the versatility to line up inline, off the ball or in the slot and can be equally effective from all three positions. He is a pretty good blocker as well, both in space and on the line of scrimmage.

Johnny Dixon – Cornerback – Penn State – Projection: Round 5-6

I’ve never met Johnny Dixon or even seen him in an interview, but I can tell you this, Johnny Dixon LOVES football. You can see it in his play. His energy and enthusiasm shine through on every snap he played for Penn State’s defense.

He also makes great reads and shows some skill as a blitzer. He has the versatility to play inside and out, and projects as a major contributor on special teams from the get-go.

Fabian Lovett – Nose Tackle – Florida State – Projection: Round 5-6

The Bengals will love the way Fabian Lovett plays. He is a tough, gritty player who is willing to do the dirty work for his team. He holds his ground and collapses double teams, doing the unseen jobs that lead to glory for his teammates.

The 314 pounder shows a consistently high effort consistent high effort that projects him well to the Bengals’ defense.