Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Draft Cast Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s fourth dimension to stimulate down the review procedure on how each squad stacks upwardly alongside the selections they’ve made. With the Bengals missing the playoffs lastly flavour as well as greatly underachieving, full general director Mike Brown knew a massive talent infusion was required to teach this squad dorsum on track. Cincinnati had quite the haul inward the 2018 draft selecting xi players to the fold. ADF was pleasantly surprised alongside the amount of high potential additions secured when looking dorsum at this Bengals class, let’s review… 

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 21 (21)

Billy Price (OL)

As clear equally day, it was imperative that the Bengals addressed their glaring issues on the offensive work at or thus signal inward this draft. Last flavour showed great inability to opened upwardly holes inward the run game piece non beingness able to protect Andy Dalton which inward plough provided or thus of his worst numbers equally a pro. On target to create their problems early, the Bengals selected the determined, hardnosed Center from “The Ohio State”. Price is a rattling interesting prospect that has gotten gleaming reviews for his mightiness as well as size making him an almost sure-fire thespian at the adjacent level.

Price is a giant of a human being that stands 6’4” tall, simply over 300 pounds as well as has a motor that doesn’t quit. When ADF reviews the record on his blocking science as well as awareness, it’s quite apparent that Price is simply a great football game thespian that volition orbit admirably inward the NFL. Like whatever prospect that comers into the league, or thus refining of skills needs to live done, but inward Billy Price’s case, those refinements should live rattling minimal equally he could start solar daytime i inward preparation camp. Adding Price to atomic number 82 the accuse inward the middle alongside Cordy Glenn as well as Jake Fisher manning the outsides, this work looks vastly improved on paper. The potential to live a dominate strength is rattling real.      

ADF Prediction: High potential, Pro Bowl potential.

Round 2 – Pick 22 (54)

Jessie Bates (DB)

While the Bengals defense strength was ameliorate than it appeared lastly season, adding telephone commutation depth players alongside high upside has been of import to choke on this squad moving inward the correct direction. This pick inward circular ii screams depth thespian equally a rookie alongside the potential to snag a starting business office inward the adjacent ii to 3 years. Bates has great size as well as speed to human being the security seat alongside skilful mightiness inward both human being as well as zone coverages. Jessie Bates impressed at the combine alongside his 3-cone drill showing speed as well as curvature neat nether the 7 mo grade highlighting his agile skill-set. While Bates is known equally quite the athlete, don’t permit that fool you, he is definitely a tackling machine that isn’t afraid to teach his hands dirty. The overall mightiness is rattling encouraging moving forwards as well as Bates could detect his agency to playing rather chop-chop i time a few highlight existent plays are made inward campsite as well as the preseason. 

ADF Prediction: Good potential.

Round 3 – Pick thirteen (77)

Sam Hubband (DE)

Staying alongside the Ohio connection inward circular three, the Bengals selected i of the hardest working players from the Buckeyes. Hubband has fantastic size that all NFL teams would live inward search for. While or thus scouts inquiry his overall mightiness as well as speed, ADF is convinced that it won’t live an number inward the NFL. Sam ran a dainty 4.89 twoscore at his pro-day showing skilful mobility inward the cone drill at the combine. Even if the evaluations are true, as well as Hubband can’t choke on upwardly alongside the pro competition, at that spot is no inquiry his function ethic volition live on signal as well as he’ll grind out plays. Much similar the Bengals pick inward the mo circular (Jessie Bates), this pick has ‘future starter’ written all over it. Cincinnati volition live going through potential transition adjacent flavour equally many of their top defensive linemen volition live upwardly for contract as well as there’s niggling inquiry they’re hoping Hubband tin can fill upwardly the void.  

ADF Prediction: Good player, futurity starter.

Round 3 – Pick xiv (78)

Malik Jefferson (LB)

Continuing on the defensive side as well as keeping measuring alongside ADF’s squad evaluation of the potential replacement rebuild i twelvemonth early, the Bengals select old Longhorns work backer inward Malik Jefferson. Possessing skilful intangibles Malik did rattling good inward the testing stage of the draft procedure showing he’s equally advertised. Finding his stride inward his terminal flavour at Texas proved his mightiness was at that spot to live unleashed, but finding the appropriate system as well as matchups should choke a long agency inward determining what type of thespian he tin can become. Busting 110 tackles inward the 2017 flavour also saw 10 of those hitting for loss inward the backfield, rather impressive penetration on those plays. While Jackson did garner thirteen sacks inward his college career, ADF believes he could live a specialist inward the sack division inward the NFL coming off the edge. Jefferson should stimulate down his NFL career on the bench inward a rotational role, but could plough heads i time he gets his feet wet.      

ADF Prediction: Moderate/low potential.

Round iv – Pick 12 (112)

Mark Walton (RB)

Every fourth dimension nosotros seat on his tape, ADF finds to a greater extent than as well as to a greater extent than things nosotros similar close Mark Walton. His slide inward the draft was attributed to the fact that his 2017 flavour was lost to an talocrural articulation injury equally he was starting fourth dimension to brand waves as well as putting on a show. Either way, Walton is the existent bargain as well as should live able to interpret his skills inward the NFL. While Mark doesn’t possess the top destination speed you lot would aspect for inward a runner, he is deceptively fast. Teaming alongside that, Walton has A+ patience as well as vision allowing him to detect the hole as well as pause gratis piece allowing the plays to develop. Walton has a ridiculous side-step that tin can bail him out of problem or juke defenders alongside ease. Even for a smaller type of running back, Walton isn’t afraid to drib his shoulder at the maiden off signal of contact challenging defenders.  If that wasn’t enough, Walton has great hands that tin can live taken payoff of inward the transcend game equally he’ll brand loads of plays inward opened upwardly space.

If at that spot are knocks on his game it would demo the lack of top notch breakaway speed you lot would similar to run across from a thespian of his size. While Mark tin can easily brand teams pay i time he breaks the maiden off ready of defenders, it’s rare to run across him outrun the security for the touchdown. There is also the potential for Walton to teach dinged upwardly inward the NFL equally the physicality is vastly dissimilar as well as thus the college game. With all that said, ADF is buying all the stock on Walton becoming a fantastic NFL production as well as alter of measuring dorsum to Joe Mixon, forming a tandem that volition live rattling hard to stop. Lots to similar from Mark Walton!      

ADF Prediction: High potential, great upside.

Round five – Pick xiv (151)

Davontae Harris (DB)

If you’ve read our other installments of squad draft breakdowns, you lot would notice the high number of talented defensive backs that volition come upwardly out of this draft class, this i is no exception. Harris possesses all the skills to eventually accept a starting seat inward this league provided he cleans upwardly a few of his shortcomings. His size, speed, as well as strength function to his payoff when pressing upwardly receivers leaving them niggling room to maneuver alongside their maiden off measuring off the line. While or thus scouts inquiry his anticipation as well as ball skills, nosotros believe they are inward a higher house average equally seen from the many transcend breakups he produced at Illinois State. Harris may trust his speed a niggling also much trying to bait quarterbacks leaving him exposed at times, but this is rattling coachable. 

Round five – Pick 21 (158)

Andrew Brown (DT)

In reviewing this draft shape moving downwards these selections, its becomes to a greater extent than clear as well as echoes our statements from inward a higher house to propose the Bengals are preparing for the futurity piece giving them a roster depth payoff for this upcoming season. Yet or thus other defensive thespian that could eventually accept a starting business office is Andrew Brown out of Virginia. While Brown isn’t a top flying prospect he volition teach a rattling skilful football game thespian solidifying the middle of the defensive line. Brown is rattling strong at the signal of assault as well as tin can shed blockers continually alongside his rattling high motor. Starting his career inward sub packages as well as rotational situations volition give him the sense to challenge for a starting business office inward 2019. 

Round five – Pick 33 (170)

Darius Phillips (DB)

Adding to a greater extent than depth to the defensive backend the Bengals select what scouts persuasion equally a nickel cover-corner inward Darius Phillips. Possessing inward a higher house average speed to his size, ADF would’ve liked to conduct hold seen a ameliorate twoscore fourth dimension produced. Phillips did orbit corporation numbers inward his college career posting 12 interceptions as well as 35 transcend breakups inward his 3 years equally a starter. The added appeal hither from the Bengals encephalon trust is obvious equally they potentially persuasion Phillips equally their render specialist on both boot as well as punt returns. Having produced 6 returns total for touchdowns inward 3 years is rather impressive as well as he should challenge from solar daytime i inward that regard.

Round 7 – Pick 31 (249)

Logan Woodside (QB)

With AJ McCarron leaving Cincinnati early inward the offseason, at that spot is a potential roster spot for the grabs as well as the Bengals are taking a shot alongside Logan Woodside. There are items to similar close his game which include his high completion percentage, high degree or touchdowns to depression charge per unit of measurement of interceptions, as well as production inward passing yards inward his fourth dimension inward Toledo. Woodside withal volition conduct hold to clutch as well as grab to secure a roster spot beingness on the shorter side barley inward a higher house the 6 human foot mark. Woodside volition live simply a campsite arm if he doesn’t print early on.     

Round 7 – Pick 34 (252)

Rod Taylor (OL)

Adding depth to an offensive work inward much require of assistance is the idea alongside this pick belatedly inward the 7th round. Taylor has great size but my lack the overall football game savvy to justify a starting role. Rod Taylor does conduct hold potential to brand the Bengals roster but could live a prime number candidate for the practise squad. 

Round 7 – Pick 35 (253)

Auden Tate (WR)

The volume on Tate is rattling clear; he’s equally tall equally a edifice but deadening equally an Ox. Standing at 6’5” tall at that spot is skilful potential for Tate to live used exclusively inward the redzone equally a mismatch thespian trying to exploit his pinnacle as well as great grab radius. Players similar Auden Tate conduct hold industrial plant life a agency to rest relevant past times making plays, as well as ADF fully expects to run across bulk of his function catching jump balls for touchdowns inward camp.  

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Chris Worley, LB, Ohio State

Jordan Franks, TE, Central Florida

Zach Green, RB, Arizona

Gaelin Elmore, DL, East Carolina

Trayvon Henderson, DB, Hawaii

Adonis Jennings, WR, Temple

Junior Joseph, LB, Connecticut

Ray Lawry, RB, Old Dominion

Ja'Von Rolland-Jones, DL, Arkansas State

Quinton Flowers, QB, South Florida