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The AFC North had strong representation at Ohio State's Pro Day on Friday.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert joined Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and representatives from every other NFL team in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes have prospects at several positions the Bengals are in need of depth at, particularly on the defensive line.
That's where Michael Bennett could come in. The 6-3, 293-pound Bennett could give Cincinnati some added beef on the interior of Cincy's frontline, which was thin and weak too often last year. Bennett played both one and three-technique for the Buckeyes. After recording 14 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss over the past two years, Bennett is expected to go in the second round, and may be off the board before Cincinnati's 53rd-overall pick.
Another Buckeye the Bengals could be considering is Devin Smith. The speed-burning wideout is exactly what Cincinnati needs in terms of someone who can stretch the field and provide more big plays in the pass game. Smith had just 121 career receptions, but 25% of them (30) went for TDs while averaging 20.7 yards per catch. Smith can line up wide or in the slot, and he too could be a possible second-round target.
Jeff Heuerman will be worth watching if the Bengals enter Day 3 without a legitimate No. 2 tight end next to Tyler Eifert. Injuries plagued Heuerman's senior season, but he did manage to grab 43 balls for 673 yards and six scores over the past two years.
Here's how CBS Sports ranked all of Ohio State's top prospects:
RANK |
PLAYER |
POS. |
POS. RANK |
CLASS |
HT. |
WT. |
PROJ. ROUND |
45 |
Devin Smith |
WR |
8 |
Sr |
6-0 |
196 |
2 |
53 |
Michael Bennett |
DT |
8 |
Sr |
6-2 |
293 |
2 |
91 |
Doran Grant |
CB |
12 |
Sr |
5-10 |
200 |
3 |
130 |
Jeff Heuerman |
TE |
7 |
Sr |
6-5 |
254 |
4 |
255 |
Evan Spencer |
WR |
34 |
Sr |
6-2 |
208 |
7 |
362 |
Curtis Grant |
ILB |
18 |
Sr |
6-3 |
240 |
-- |
716 |
Steve Miller |
DE |
53 |
Sr |
6-3 |
255 |
-- |
860 |
Darryl Baldwin |
OT |
62 |
rSr |
6-6 |
308 |
-- |
993 |
Rod Smith |
RB |
74 |
rSr |
6-3 |
231 |
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