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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Free agency provides shakeup

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
9

Reuben Foster

LB, Alabama

The Cincinnati Bengals failed to reach the playoffs once again in 2016, and you have to believe that Marvin Lewis’ tenure as the team’s head coach has to be in question. The Bengals consistently have a playoff-caliber roster, but they just have not been able to put it all together in recent years. Cincinnati needs to go back to being a bruising defense, and bringing in the best linebacker in this draft class would be a great grab with the No. 9 overall pick.

Reuben Foster has been in the news for all the wrong reasons since the NFL Scouting Combine, as his run-in with a hospital worker led to him being sent home. He has since tried to make amends for his actions, and it should have really no effect on his draft status. Foster is one of the best overall prospects in this draft, and with his winning pedigree at the University of Alabama, he should be an instant leader for the Bengals.

Cincinnati has enough talent to win the AFC North next season, but they need to get it right in April to keep up with the likes of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both of those teams have made big moves this offseason, and the biggest move the Bengals have made is bringing back cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick for the next five seasons. It is a make or break season for the Bengals, and while Lewis has never won a playoff game as a head coach, the odds are he will right the ship in 2017.

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