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The Bengals were among all 32 NFL teams who made it to Alabama's Pro Day, which annually features at least one representative from every club on hand.
That's because the Crimson tide often feature multiple first-rounder and several more top-100 guys. This year, the top Bama prospect is wide receiver Amari Cooper, who likely will hear his name called within the first 12 picks.
The 6-1, 211-pound Cooper was the winner of the Biletnikoff Award this past season as the nation's top receiver in addition to being SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in receptions (124) and finished second in yards (1,727) and touchdown receptions (16). Cooper is going to hear his name called early on Draft Day.
After Cooper, the only other Bama prospect going in the first round is Landon Collins. The star safety was a consensus All-American in 2014, leading Bama with 103 tackles, three picks and 10 pass defenses. He's expected to be drafted within the top 20. Bengals secondary coach Mark Carrier was on hand to meet with him that we'll provide more info on later.
Running back TJ Yeldon is a quality prospect, but in the most RB-heavy draft in years, he'll likely end up being a nice value pick on Day 3. Arie Kouandjio is one of the top guard prospects in this draft, and the 6-5, 310-pounder should go before Day 2 ends. The Bengals personally worked him out, and we'll have more on him later as well.
The one Bama guy the Bengals have already met with is inside linebacker Trey Depriest. Though the team has since signed A.J. Hawk and re-signed Rey Maualuga, adding a backer late in the drafted or as a priority free agent would be wise with Vontaze Burfict likely opening 2015 on the PUP list. DePriest finished third on the team with 88 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss after notching 65 tackle and 7.5 for a loss as a junior. CBS Sports has him at No. 11 as a 6th-to-7th rounder.
The Bengals also need to add a blocking tight end at some point, and Bama's Brian Vogler isn't likely to be drafted this year. Blocking TEs simply aren't often drafted, but that doesn't mean they can't make an impact as rookies. Vogler was one of the big winners of Bama's Pro Day, per former NFL GM Phil Savage:
At 6-foot-6 ½, 262 pounds, he ran [a respectable time]. He seemed very motivated. And is there a place in the league for a size tight end, an end of the line blocker with some capacity to catch the ball? There probably is. I'm not sure either [Perry or Vogler] will be drafted. They could be. But if they're not, they've definitely solidified themselves as worthy free agents."
Another Tide prospect the Bengals may keep their eye on is receiver Christion Jones, who has been Bama's primary returner, but also has a nice set of hands:
Here's how CBS Sports ranked all of Bama's prospects:
RANK |
PLAYER |
POS. |
POS. RANK |
CLASS |
HT. |
WT. |
PROJ. ROUND |
6 |
*Amari Cooper |
WR |
1 |
Jr |
6-1 |
211 |
1 |
19 |
*Landon Collins |
SS |
1 |
Jr |
6-0 |
228 |
1 |
82 |
Arie Kouandjio |
OG |
5 |
rSr |
6-5 |
310 |
3 |
85 |
*T.J. Yeldon |
RB |
9 |
Jr |
6-1 |
226 |
3 |
153 |
Austin Shepherd |
OT |
14 |
rSr |
6-4 |
315 |
4-5 |
155 |
Jalston Fowler |
FB |
1 |
rSr |
5-11 |
254 |
4-5 |
195 |
Xzavier Dickson |
OLB |
16 |
Sr |
6-3 |
260 |
5-6 |
216 |
Trey DePriest |
ILB |
10 |
Sr |
6-0 |
254 |
6 |
326 |
Leon Brown |
OG |
19 |
Sr |
6-6 |
346 |
7-FA |
389 |
Brandon Ivory |
DT |
29 |
rSr |
6-3 |
308 |
-- |
405 |
Blake Sims |
QB |
20 |
rSr |
5-11 |
218 |
-- |
433 |
DeAndrew White |
WR |
58 |
rSr |
5-11 |
193 |
-- |
439 |
Nick Perry |
FS |
19 |
rSr |
6-0 |
205 |
-- |
483 |
Christion Jones |
WR |
65 |
Sr |
5-10 |
182 |
-- |
595 |
Brian Vogler |
TE |
32 |
rSr |
6-6 |
263 |
-- |
812 |
Jarrick Williams |
SS |
36 |
rSr |
6-1 |
215 |
-- |