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Geno Atkins, AJ McCarron proof Cincinnati Bengals find mid-round gems
Mock drafts this time of year mostly focus on the first and sometimes second round of the upcoming NFL draft. As insiders and analysts try to predict what teams will do at the start of the draft, it can be difficult to theorize what teams might do after the second round. One must have a good idea of every team's draft needs, and a keen understanding of talent development beyond the big-name stars in order to do that. So kudos to ESPN Insider's Kevin Weidl for the mammoth undertaking of identifying three players each team might consider targeting each day of this year's draft.
Cincinnati Bengals: Analytics Show Dalton is Among NFL's Best
This time of year all of the talk seems to focus on free agency and the impending NFL Draft that is quickly approaching. With this in mind, a change of pace would be nice. Though the Bengals have made several free agent moves and are excited about the upcoming draft, it is time to look at where Andy Dalton ranks among his peers when evaluated by quarterback value (QBV) and total quarterback value (TQBV).
Bengals remember Will Smith
Since he heard Will Smith died at the hand of a gun on a New Orleans street this past weekend, Andrew Whitworth has been thinking about that first trip to the Crescent City as a pro. It was ten years ago and even though Whitworth was an NFL rookie, he had already played 11 games in the Superdome. First winning a state title as a prep all-star in Louisiana for West Monroe and then as a franchise left tackle for the LSU national champions.
Drafting by the numbers
Bengals' all-time rusher Corey Dillon was in the middle of the busiest draft day in team history. The Bengals' draft by the numbers.
Cincinnati Bengals mentioned in report about Jaylon Smith
The Cincinnati Bengals spent their first-round draft pick in 2015 on a player coming off injury they thought was a good value in offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi. Might there be a chance they do it again this year with Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith? Smith suffered a significant knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State in January. Draft analysts view Smith as a potential top five pick if healthy, but his health status has left question as to when he will be drafted.
Random Bytes
NFL won’t stream any London games this year
The NFL’s live-stream of last year’s London game between the Jaguars and Bills was so wildly successful that the NFL will be doing it again. Sorry, that should be the NFL will not be doing it again.
Report: Johnny Manziel actually living with Josh Gordon
Johnny Manziel is living with an NFL player who knows something about being suspended, but it apparently isn’t Von Miller. Despite Manziel claiming that he was staying with the Super Bowl MVP, his roommate actually isn’t in the league at the moment.
Report: No NFL discipline expected for LeSean McCoy
Bills running back LeSean McCoy won’t be prosecuted in Philadelphia for his involvement in a February bar fight because Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said there was "insufficient evidence" to prove that McCoy committed a crime. It appears McCoy will avoid discipline from the league as well.
Cardale Jones Twitter rants about the NCAA's unfair treatment
From Yahoo Sports: Jones took to Twitter Monday to complain about the NCAA, joining a chorus of other athletes who are fed up.
Report suggests Hue Jackson is a bad fit for Browns’ analytics staff
The new front office executives hired by the Browns this offseason come from an analytics background, led by new chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta, who was an important figure in Moneyball and a longtime baseball analytics guru. But the Browns’ new head coach does not come from an analytics background, and a new ESPN Magazine profile of DePodesta suggests that coach Hue Jackson is likely to clash with the analytics people in Cleveland.
Josh Gordon Reportedly Failed NFL-Issued Drug Test in March
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon's reinstatement has been delayed after he reportedly failed another drug test in March, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. Gordon was suspended for the entire 2015 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
Sean Payton Comments on Gun Laws After Will Smith's Death
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton voiced his displeasure with current handgun laws and the culture around them in the United States following Will Smith's murder over the weekend.