There are still some good ones out there
The first two days of the draft have come and gone. The Cincinnati Bengals got their right tackle of the future, along with a high-end receiver and two defensive tackles.
So, what now?
They still have needs at cornerback and tight end. They could still afford to build depth on the interior of the offensive line. And they just might not be done at running back yet, either.
With that in mind, here are some of the top players available heading into Day 3 of the draft.
Tight End
With only one tight end going in each of the first three rounds, there are still plenty of options for the Bengals. My favorite is Jared Wiley. The TCU Horned Frog has the speed and savvy to be a force in the passing game.
Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is faster on the field than on the track and a better blocker than he gets credit for. He can make some plays and on Day 3 he is an excellent value.
Florida State’s Jaheim Bell has some incredible ball skills and would fit well with the Bengals offense.
For the rest, look to the Big Ten. Cade Stover is a more traditional tight end, and what the Ohio State Buckeye may lack in speed, he makes up for with power as a ball carrier. Penn State’s Theo Johnson lacks nothing in speed. Johnson ran a 4.57 at 6-6 259. His impact in Penn State’s offense was minimal, but the tools are there.
Finally, there is Erick All. He might be the complete package. He can run and catch. He’s a crafty route-runner. He even blocks well. The only problem is that he is coming off an injury.
Cornerbacks
I think the time has come to take a cornerback. There are a ton of talented corners still on the board, including Iowa State’s TJ Tampa, who was projected to go early on Day 2.
Penn State had a pair of talented cornerbacks in Kalen King and Johnny Dixon. King makes plays all over the field, and Dixon makes great reads. They both play with an energy that is infectious and has surely caught the eye of the Bengals coaching staff.
Wake Forrest’s Caelen Carson is an excellent man corner who plays right in the receiver’s pocket.
Tennessee’s Kamal Hadden is a big hitter who makes great reads and has shown ball skills.
At 6’3” 202, Notre Dame’s Cam Hart is a physical presence in the defensive backfield. He knows exactly who he is as a player and loves to come up and hit the ball carrier.
There are plenty of very good options for the Bengals to take.
Interior Offensive Line
The interior offensive line also has a lot of talent heading into day three. Of course, there is South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick, who had insane numbers at the combine, not unlike Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini.
If you want a center, how about going back to the same place you got Amarius Mims in Round 1 and bringing in Sedrick Van Pran-Granger? My favorite of the group, however, is Michigan’s Drake Nugent. He is a tough, physical kid, and I can’t figure out why he isn’t being talked about more.
Running Backs
Tennessee’s Jaylin Wright is the last of the top running backs on the board. He is a speed=-demon who would definitely bring explosiveness to the Bengals run game. Less talked about is Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo, who is excellent at finding the smallest gap and bursting through it.
If you are looking for less of a feature back and more of a third-down back type, Purdue’s Tyrone Tracy and Clemson’s Will Shipley could be just the ticket. Tracy is a former receiver who could also contribute as a return specialist.
If you’re looking for more of a short yardage back, Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen would be a fit. Of course, for my money, I’d take Notre Dame’s Audric Estime. In addition to the power to move the sticks, Estime has the burst to take it the distance.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login