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Bengals send Jay Hayes to Missouri Pro Day

Markus Golden and Shane Ray are two guys to watch from Missouri as the Bengals likely will add another pass-rusher in the NFL draft.

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Even with the addition of Michael Johnson, the Bengals could still be in the market for another pass-rusher.

That would explain why they attended Missouri's Pro Day. Defensive line coach Jay Hayes was among representatives for all 32 NFL teams, and most of them were to see the Tigers' pass-rushing duo of Markus Golden and Shany Ray. The duo combined for 24.5 sacks and 42.5 tackles for loss this past season, and would be a welcomed addition to any NFL team.

ESPN's Todd McShay has Ray rated as his No. 15 prospect, while Mel Kiper has him rated No. 9 overall:

An explosive pass-rusher who can point to both his production and the workout numbers, Ray is simply a menace in terms of his ability to disrupt, as he can move around the line and will find ways into the backfield wherever he is. He has quick feet and hands to both beat blockers to a spot or shed them, and he always brings energy. If there's a concern it's the size, which clearly profiles better at OLB. He can get eaten up by good blockers on occasion and can leave lanes open when he's trying to find space.

It's unlikely Ray will be on the board for Cincinnati at pick No. 21, while Golden looks likely to go after Round 1. Other than those two, another guy that would fit the Bengals' is Marcus Murphy. The 5'8", 193-pound ball of fire was one of college football's most dynamic players over the past two years.

Murphy finished his college career with 2,837 punt and kickoff return yards and seven touchdowns scored via kickoffs (five) and punts (two). Over the past two years, Murphy rushed for 1,525 yards and 13 scores in addition to catching 39 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns.

He would be a solid third or fourth running back while also serving as the primary returner for Cincinnati.

Here's how CBS Sports rated all of Missouri's prospects:

RANK

PLAYER

POS.

POS. RANK

CLASS

HT.

WT.

PROJ. ROUND

9

*Shane Ray

DE

2

rJr

6-3

245

1

133

Mitch Morse

OG

8

rSr

6-5

305

4

150

Markus Golden

OLB

11

rSr

6-2

260

4-5

310

Marcus Murphy

RB

25

rSr

5-8

193

7-FA

358

Bud Sasser

WR

44

rSr

6-2

210

--

558

Braylon Webb

SS

24

rSr

6-0

205

--

683

Darius White

WR

92

rSr

6-3

208

--

747

Matt Hoch

DT

55

rSr

6-4

295

--

842

Jimmie Hunt

WR

116

rSr

6-0

215

--