If the Bengals’ Draft approach seemed a bit unfamiliar, it’s because of two things:
- The team was in unfamiliar territory. This was the first time under Mike Brown that the Bengals were coming off a deep (or really, any sort of) playoff run. And, contrary to what some might say, that success was real and the result of a very talented roster. Thus, the team was in position to pursue the best players available.
- The front office, in part on account of a weak quarterback class, saw the players it planned on drafting taken before its turn came up, which is related to the first point (they were drafting second to last each round due to making it to the Super Bowl).