2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round
By Brad Weiss
Tarvarus McFadden
Cornerback, Florida State
During his tenure as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, Marvin Lewis has not won a single playoff game. That is pretty hard to believe considering how much talent the Bengals seemingly have on their roster each season. As the Bengals look to the season, it is going to be hard for them to even get to the playoffs in what could be Lewis’ last season at the helm in Cincinnati.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals are stacked with talent, including one of the best wide receiver in the game in A.J. Green. They went out and supplemented their talent at running back this past draft, bringing in the controversial Joe Mixon to team with the likes of Giovanni Bernard and Jeremy Hill. Andy Dalton is a Pro Bowl quarterback, so spending a first round pick on the offense does not make sense in 2018.
In order for them to make themselves a contender in the AFC North, they have to do a better job at protecting against the pass. Cornerback Adam Jones is starting to get up there in age, so the team needs to bring in somebody who can fill his role in the secondary. Tarvarus McFadden is an elite cornerback prospect from Florida State, and would be perfect in that role if the Bengals decide to go defensive back.
It is incredible to think that Lewis has never won a playoff game, and the patience is starting to wear thin in Cincinnati. The Bengals have talent on both sides of the ball, but an increase in talent in the secondary would enable them to compete against guys like Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco twice a season. They have to start to inject young talent into their defense, and McFadden would be a key piece moving forward.