The Cincinnati Bengals lost in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs for the fourth straight season, and are looking to improve their roster to finally get over the hump. Which players are they targeting in this year's draft to help them do just that?
WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri/Oklahoma
Dorial Green-Beckham has as much talent as any receiver in the draft, and at 6’6″, could provide the team with another big red zone target to pair with A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu. However, numerous off-field issues – including burglary and assault charges – caused him to transfer from Mizzou to Oklahoma and raise giant red flags.
Cincinnati has a history of bringing in players with troubled pasts and getting the most out of them, so look to them to take a gamble on Green-Beckham.
DT Arik Armstead, Oregon
Cincinnati could also go after someone to play on the interior of the defensive line as they’ve failed to find someone they can rely on to play next to Geno Atkins. Starter Domata Peko ranked No. 80 out of 81 players graded at his position at PFF last year, and his regression means it’s time to look somewhere else.
Armstead is a physical menace at 6’7″ and 292 lbs., yet he’s still extremely quick for his position. He uses his size to locate the ball quickly, and then uses his length and quickness to shed blockers and attack the ball carrier. Armstead hasn’t shown a great deal of anticipation on the field, but his elite athleticism usually makes up for it.
CB Ifo Ekpre-Olamu, Oregon
Cincinnati desperately needs some help in the defensive backfield. Top corner Adam Jones is 31 with only one year left on his current deal, and Leon Hall’s play continues to regress. The team does have Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard looking for bigger roles, but the Bengals’ depth chart at the position could use a boost. Ekpre-Olamu was the unquestioned top corner in the draft before he tore his ACL, which has dropped his stock out of the first round. As a result, the Bengals could get a steal by nabbing a much-needed, top-notch cornerback in the second or third round.
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