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Pete Prisco released another mock draft on Tuesday and, from a Bengals perspective, it applied another seen-it, done-it mentality -- you know, the usual suspect in the quest to alleviate the boredom surrounding the predraft process. Uh hum. With the 21st pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman.
Geno Atkins didn't play that well last season and Domata Peko isn't a kid. They need to get stronger inside.
I'm game.
Cincinnati signed Michael Johnson to a four-year deal on Sunday, addressing the need to upgrade the team's insanely poor pass rush from last season. Though I could argue that Johnson isn't really a pass rusher, as he's more of a balanced defender suited against the run, while drawing enough attention to free up the others.
Cincinnati has four defensive tackles on their offseason roster, including Geno Atkins, Domata Peko, Brandon Thompson, and Kwame Geathers. Devon Still is expected to return as well. That being said, Peko will earn $3.525 million in base salary in 2015 with $3.725 million cap number. If Cincinnati releases the veteran, they won't incur any penalties (dead money). A huge difference with Geno Atkins is that he's training this offseason, as opposed to last year where he spent the summer rehabilitating. Thompson is a good depth guy..
"Eddie (Goldman) was a tremendous leader, student-athlete and, most importantly, a tremendous person for FSU," said Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. "I can't thank him enough for his contributions over the last three years on the field and for his leadership by example. I expect Eddie to have a tremendous professional career and I'm very excited for him and his family."