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The 2014 NFL Scouting Combine is now in the books, and we continue or look at players who took a significant hit in their draft stock, and whether the Bengals should even consider them.
If Anthony Collins leaves, offensive tackle becomes a big need for the Bengals. Cyrus Kouandjio was someone who was projected to be gone by pick No. 24, but after his combine performance, even that spot may be too high for him.
Kouandjio, a 6-foot-5, 322-pound mauler from Alabama, had 14 knockdown blocks last season and allowed just 1.5 sacks and was named a Walter Camp All-American selection. But at the combine, Kouandjio looked stiff and out of shape.
He struggled in the o-line drills and ranked near the bottom of his position group in the 40-time, broad jump,short shuttle and three-cone drill. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that several teams failed Kouandjio on his physical due to arthritis in his knee from a failed surgery:
Bad news for #Bama OT Cyrus Kouandjio. I’m told several teams have failed him on his physical. Arthritic knee from failed surgery. "Ugly."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 22, 2014
That would likely mean Kouandjio is not only no longer a first-round prospect, but he may be too risky to tale in the second or even third round.
It would be sad to see such talent and potential put to waste. Kouandjio offers versatility as a player who can line up at left tackle or right tackle. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke with several scouts about Cyrus, and they believe he's a very promising prospect.
"Talented guy but still very raw," one scout said. "Still makes raw mistakes. He's got more up side than Matthews. I think he is smart. Just doesn't have much football background."
"Outstanding pass protector," a second scout said. "You're talking about a left tackle for a long, long time."
At the end of the day, Kouandjio looks like he'll be one of this year's biggest "boom-or-bust" prospects. Given the Bengals' recent draft history of passing on those kind of players, don't expect Kouandjio to be wearing Bengals stripes in the near future.