2017 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals final grade
By John Buhler
Fourth Round
Carl Lawson
Defensive End, Auburn Tigers
The Bengals made a whopping eight picks in day three of the NFL Draft. Cincinnati took Auburn Tigers defensive end Carl Lawson at No. 116. He’s always had great upside, but never been a truly productive player in college due to injury. That’s why he fell to the fourth round.
Josh Malone
Wide Receiver, Tennessee Volunteers
Cincinnati went wide receiver again in the fourth round at No. 128 in taking Josh Malone out of Tennessee. This would have been a pretty, pretty, pretty good time to draft an offensive lineman. However, Dalton needs weapons, so there you go.
Ryan Glasgow
Defensive Tackle, Michigan Wolverines
The Bengals looked to get better in all levels of their defense. They used their No. 138 pick in the fourth round to draft Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow. Adding depth behind Geno Atkins is always a good thing.
Fifth Round
Jake Elliott
Kicker, Memphis Tigers
Cincinnati has had their issues at kicker with the downfall of Mike Nugent. Going with a kicker at No. 153 in Jake Elliott of Memphis was a bold move since Arizona State’s Zane Gonzalez was still on the board. Nevertheless, Elliott is one of the better kickers in the nation. Not a bad selection in all honesty.
J.J. Dielman
Center, Utah Utes
It happened. The Bengals actually took an offensive linemen with one of their 11 2017 NFL Draft picks. They went with Utah Utes center J.J. Dielman at No. 176 in the fifth round. Cincinnati’s biggest offensive line needs were at tackle and guard, but center it is!
Sixth Round
Jordan Evans
Inside Linebacker, Oklahoma Sooners
Cincinnati double-down on some Boomer Sooner action in this draft. The Bengals took the controversial Mixon in round two and took his Oklahoma teammate inside linebacker Jordan Evans at No. 193 in the sixth round. The Bengals know that Big 12 linebackers are undersized, right?
Brandon Wilson
Cornerback, Houston Cougars
Since last year’s first-round pick in cornerback William Jackson III turned out lovely, the Bengals decided to draft another Houston Cougars cornerback at No. 207 in the sixth round in Brandon Wilson. Maybe Wilson actually plays as a rookie this fall?
Seventh Round
Mason Schreck
Tight End, Buffalo Bulls
I’m a believer in the Bengals now. They just drafted a tight end nicknamed Shrek. Or that should be his nickname. Mason Schreck is played his college ball for the Buffalo Bulls. With Eifert usually sidelined with injury, Schreck has a chance at making the team maybe.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades
Overall, the Bengals needed a lot of players after failing miserably in 2017 NFL free agency. Not addressing guard or tackle was unacceptable. However, they did have a ton of needs they needed to address. At least the Bengals got to most of them. There is just too much bust potential across the Bengals’ NFL Draft for them to get a decent grade. There is upside, but they still had a risky draft despite having 11 picks.