Rival Report: Analysis of the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2017 Draft
Steel City Underground will run a series of articles in 2017 under the ‘rival report’ headline aimed at analysis of the National Football League’s AFC North teams who are rivals to the Pittsburgh Steelers: the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. These will include team news, player and coaching staff quotes, transactions and critical information from rival camps.
Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis stopped just short of calling 2017 a rebuilding year after watching his team dismantled during the offseason, making the right draft selections even more important. Veteran offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was one of the biggest names to exit, signing a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Not far behind, guard Kevin Zeitler slid over to the Cleveland Browns.
The Bengals allowed quarterback Andy Dalton to be sacked 41 times in 2016 and could not get the running game firing, so the overall impact of the loss of two veterans from the offensive line remains an unknown. It signaled that Cincinnati may lean towards strengthening their line via the draft, however.
The position that may have been next on the list for the Bengals was running back. Jeremy Hill has been inconsistent out of the backfield the past two seasons and they lost Rex Burkhead in free agency. Insiders guessed Lewis and the Bengals front office would be serious about finding their next rusher in this draft.
Despite pre-draft analysis that strongly favored Cincinnati addressing those needs, the Bengals bucked the trends and went on a wild trip with 11 picks.
Wideout before Rusher for Dalton?
The Bengals, like several teams picking ahead of them, ignored an elite draft of defensive talent to go offense first with the selection of wide receiver John Ross (Washington) at no. 9 overall.
Ross’ health issues didn’t seem to deter the Bengals who wanted to find a number two receiver opposite A.J. Green. Green had trouble against teams that double-teamed him even with Brandon LaFell, Tyler Eifert and Tyler Boyd on the roster; no other receiver garnered enough attention to allow Green to get free and clear very often.
Although Ross can take the top off of defenses, a West Coast scout from an NFC team gave the following take ahead of the draft:
(Ross) will get emotional on the field when he drops one or when their quarterback leaves an open deep ball short, and I’ve heard other scouts call it ‘bad body language.’ I just think he’s an edgy player. He’s competitive and shows it. You’ll take some attitude when a guy scores as many touchdowns as he does.
With their second pick (2nd round, No. 48 overall), the Bengals went controversial by picking up rusher Joe Mixon (Oklahoma). Mixon, touted by many scouts and analysts as the top running back prospect in the draft class, entered the draft tainted to many after getting into legal trouble due to a July 2014 assault on a female student who shoved him.
The incident forced Mixon to be suspended for that season and when the video was released nearly two years later, Mixon was forced to offer a public apology. Additionally, Mixon was suspended for one game in 2016 for disrespecting a parking attendant who’d written him a ticket.
“Cincinnati’s had a history of Marvin Lewis and his guys opening their arms up and saying we can handle those kind of guys, we have the right infrastructure. Personally, if I’m a GM, he’s not on my board. As soon as I see that video, he’s off. But if you want to hear about the football player, I’ll tell you what he is. The football player is a top-15 pick in any draft. … What I’m trying to say is he’s pretty darn special as a football player.” — Mike Mayock
If Ross can stay healthy and Mixon can stay out of trouble, the Bengals have two explosive athletes who could immediately contribute to their 2017 season.
A sharper edge
The AFC North teams all wanted to get stronger, deeper and sharper on the edge of their defenses. Cincinnati was no different. That they once again ignored their offensive line to go after Jordan Willis (Kansas State) in the third round (no. 73 overall) was a surprise. The 2016 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is versatile and gives the Bengals a nice tool on defense.
Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and tackle Geno Atkins combined for 17 sacks in 2016, but they have both dropped off in production lately. Michael Johnson is firmly entrenched as the starter, leaving the door open for Willis to shadow the veterans and be brought along in the rotation without hurrying him. Consider Willis a bit of a steal.
Shored up ‘D’ with a little Kicker
The Bengals played a decent draft game with their picks in 2017. Really, the only pick that most Bengals fans continue to shake their heads over was fifth-rounder Jake Elliott, a kicker out of Memphis (no. 153 overall).
Truthfully, Cincinnati needed a kicker after losing faith in Mike Nugent and Randy Bullock. Having not drafted a specialist since 2009, when the team picked punter Kevin Huber, the Bengals showed they believe Elliott can give them a consistent scorer. Elliott never missed an extra point in his collegiate career and kicked a 56-yarder (career longest). Elliott will get the opportunity to compete with Bullock and Jonathan Brown with the last man standing becoming the likely starter for the Bengals’ future.
The addition of outside linebacker Carl Lawson of Auburn in the fourth round (no. 116 overall) illustrated a common theme for the Bengals in the draft: speed. Lawson had a blazing 4.67-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine, ranking eighth among all defensive linemen.
Due to hip and ACL injuries, Lawson slid in the draft (he took a medical redshirt in 2014) but had 24 quarterback hurries and nine sacks in 2016. Projected to fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker/4-3 defensive end, the Bengals will likely rotate Lawson with Willis.
Draft plus-minus with grade
The Bengals also drafted the following players:
- Josh Malone (WR, Tennessee – Round 4, No. 128)
- Ryan Glasgow (DT, Michigan – Round 4, No. 138)
- J.J. Dielman (C, Utah – Round 5, No. 176)
- Jordan Evans (LB, Oklahoma – Round 6, No. 193)
- Brandon Wilson (RB, Houston – Round 6, No. 207)
- Mason Schreck (TE Buffalo – Round 7, No. 251)
Outside of Schreck, who was a bit of a luxury selection and will compete for a roster spot with Eifert, C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Kroft, the Bengals draft was positive with an overall “A-minus” grade.
Wilson will join Mixon in the offensive backfield competing with Giovani Bernard. Dielman is expected to be a swing o-lineman.
Yes, the Bengals felt confident enough in what they do have on the offensive line to focus on players that could make the offense very explosive. On defense, they look leaner and quicker, at least on paper.
Give Marvin Lewis kudos for sticking with the idea that this team will need depth in order to be competitive moving forward. The Bengals should once again press for the AFC North title in 2017.
