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NFL Mock Draft: Week 16

By Brad Weiss

Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) as he slides during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) as he slides during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama. Reuben Foster. 10. player. 56. . LB

The Cincinnati Bengals have been a playoff team for the past few years, though the 2016 season has not been kind to them. Quarterback Andy Dalton has played well, but injuries to his weapons have proved to be costly. The team has been without star wide receiver A.J. Green for some time now, and the defense just does not have enough talent to stop people. What head coach Marvin Lewis needs is some help at the linebacker position, and this draft is loaded with talent.

Reuben Foster from Alabama is a prototypical linebacker, and he has the size and speed to be a dominant force in the NFL. He plays well from sideline to sideline, and he is just as good against the run as he is in the pass rush. His athleticism is what separates him from his peers in this draft, and he would be perfect for a Marvin Lewis defense.

The AFC North is full of talent, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are both playoff-caliber teams. While the Cleveland Browns are a joke, the Bengals need to do all they can this coming offseason to make sure they are challenging for a divisional title once again in 2017. Adding a player like Foster to a group that already includes Vontaze Burfict and Rey Maualuga will make the Bengals defense tough to move the ball on next season.

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