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Pro Football Focus reacts to the Bengals second and third round picks

Reviewing pro football focus' analysis of Cincinnati's second and third round picks in the 2015 NFL draft. Nothing to get excited about but these were good, strong and physical selections.

By Josh Kirkendall

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Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals picked three players on Friday, including a second third-round pick thanks to a compensatory selection that was acquired from Michael Johnson's departure last year. They are:

  1. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
  2. Tyler Kroft, TE, Rutgers
  3. Paul Dawson, LB, TCU

Pro Football Focus (aka, the College Football Focus initiative) appreciated the selection in their second round rection blog, viewing Cincinnati's selection of Jake Fisher as relatively safe.

What He Brings: A real nastiness who loves to finish a block but can get a little bit grabby as a result. Really walks a fine line with how much an official will flag him in that regard. Not much experience on deep dropbacks (just nine seven stop drops the entire year) and really struggled with power moves inside. Fantastic at the second level though, working off blocks to make linebackers pay. A little bit of a poor mans Brandon Scherff with far weaker production.

Where He Fits: He might just wind up at guard. Has the versatility and experience where he could fill the role of swing lineman but it will be interesting to see how the Bengals manage having two high round offensive tackles in the building, potentially replacing two veterans who will surely play a role in their development.

***

Tyler Kroft is a good selection, providing Cincinnati with a reliable blocker and someone with a high ceiling in the passing game. According to College Football Focus, Kroft had 66 pass blocking snaps and only allowed one pressure.

Is this the final nail in the coffin of the Bengals career of Jermaine Gresham? Kroft is a good athlete for his size but it was his blocking that really set him apart and likely what the Bengals see in him. There he had the third highest grade against Power-5 opposition and promises to be a good complement to Tyler Eiffert.

***

Linebacker Paul Dawson, who didn't have great workouts, produced fantastic tape.

Dawson is a great case study for how important workout numbers are. His tape is as good as any player at any position with him showing the kind of instincts that led to him leading the nation in defensive stops and run stop percentage. Cincinnati didn’t have a huge need at linebacker but Dawson just represented too much value here.

Dawson is one of the best run stoppers in the NFL.

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