The Cincinnati Bengals won their second AFC North Division title in a row by going 12-4 last season. However, the Bengals were not able to repeat as AFC champions when they lost 23-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, the team must regroup after being so close after two straight seasons.
Here is a look at who the Bengals selected in this year's NFL Draft. Cincinnati ended up with eight picks in the draft.
Round 1, Pick 28: Myles Murphy - DE - Clemson. 6'5", 268 lbs (11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups).
Murphy adds depth and versatility to the defensive line. He should see some time at defensive end on the strong side and at tackle on 3rd down passing plays. If you take a look at the infamous late hit that lost the game for the Bengals against the Chiefs, then you will see that DE Joseph Ossai was playing as a tackle on 3rd down. The drafting of Murphy means that you will not see Ossai on the field in the fourth quarter.
Round 2, Pick 29: DJ Turner II - CB - Michigan. 5'11", 178 lbs (10 pass breakups, 1 INT).
Turner should see some time against speedy wide receivers after running a 4.26 40 time at the NFL Combine. Plus, he will probably take some of the time away from CB Mike Hilton, who called Arrowhead Stadium "Burrowhead" before the AFC Championship loss.
Round 3, Pick 32: Jordan Battle - S - Alabama. 6'1", 209 lbs (71 tackles, 1 INT, 2 pass breakups).
Battle should see some time in the secondary off of the bench because he is able to cover and to help out against the run. He dropped in the draft because his 40 time was 4.55.
Round 4, Pick 29: Charlie Jones - WR - Purdue. 5'11", 175 lbs (110 rec, 1,361 yds, 12 TD).
Jones adds even more depth to a stacked receiver corps. He will also compete at returner as well.
Round 5, Pick 28: Chase Brown - RB - Illinois. 5'9 1/2", 209 lbs (328 carries, 1,643 rushing yds, 10 TD, 240 rec yards, 3 rec TD).
Brown has the durability to see some time as a backup running back this season.
Round 6, Pick 29: Andrei Iosivas - WR - Princeton. 6'3", 205 lbs (66 rec, 943 yds, 7 TD).
Iosivas should be placed on the practice squad solely because of his height at receiver.
Round 6, Pick 40: Brad Robbins - P - Michigan. 6'0 1/2", 199 lbs (43 punts, 42.3 avg, 21 fair catches, 16 inside the 20).
Robbins will compete to be the starting punter this season. His accuracy is impressive because none of his punts went into the end zone last season.
Round 7, Pick 29: D.J. Ivey - DB - Miami (FL). 6'1", 195 lbs (5 pass breakups, 2 INT, 2 forced fumbles).
Ivey will have to compete for a roster spot in a loaded secondary.
Overview: I love the pettiness of the first two picks by the Bengals organization. Jones and Brown are steals in this draft. Who Dey! Grade: B+.
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