While sitting with the Cincy Jungle staff during the NFL draft this year, predictions started during the fifth round that the Bengals will draft Ohio State offensive tackle Reid Fragel. They had shown significant interest during the predraft process and the Bengals generally add offensive lineman to battle for spots on the bottom of the roster -- maybe even as a develop player.
The 6-foot-8 Fragel, selected with the team's second-to-last draft pick at No. 240, is soaking in the experience after an intense predraft process.
"Walking through the tunnel and running out there for the first time was pretty surreal," said Fragel to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "The whole experience is just amazing in itself."
"I think everybody has a sigh of relief that whole process is over where we are just able to to play football again," Fragel said. "Once the ball is snapped I think everybody is equal. It's not, 'Oh, there's that guy, he's first round, second round."
Fragel's experiences on Friday included "holding his own" against the Bengals second-round pick, Margus Hunt.
With experiences as a tight end early during his collegiate career, Fragel figures to challenge Dennis Roland as a backup offensive tackle and the sixth lineman during jumbo packages.