:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49260249/usa-today-8852771.0.jpg)
The Bengals like to draft the best player available, but they also have Vincent Rey and Rey Maualuga locked up for multiple years, not to mention Vontaze Burfict, P.J. Dawson, A.J. Hawk and Karlos Dansby on the roster. If the Bengals have Reggie Ragland as the top player on their board and he's available at pick No. 24, could they add yet another inside linebacker?
Reggie Ragland
Height: 6’1"
Weight: 247 lbs
Class: Senior
40-Yard Dash: 4.72 seconds
Vertical Jump: 31.5"
Broad Jump: 116"
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.28 seconds
NFL comparisons:
College Stats:
| Year | Games | Tackles | TFL’s | Sacks |
| 2012 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 10 | 17 | 0.5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 13 | 93 | 10.5 | 1.5 |
| 2015 | 15 | 102 | 6.5 | 2.5 |
Important Notes:
- Returned for his senior season to win a championship, get his degree, and work in the community
- Consensus All American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Scouting Report Consensus - What to like:
- Physical, old-school hitter who plays hard
- Very good instincts who doesn’t waste steps
- Reliable open-field tackler, who only missed three tackles in 2015
- Has shown ability to pass rush from the edge with hand on the ground
- Decent in pass coverage in zone
Scouting Report Consensus - What to not like:
- Play speed and timed speed are not great
- Inconsistent angles due to over-aggressive run pursuit
- Run-first mindset leads to late pass coverage responsibilities
- Limited ability to cover in man to man pass defense
Projected Round:
Mid to late first round
Conclusion:
Like most draft prospects coming out of Alabama, Ragland was surrounded by very good players, making it difficult to evaluate how good he is without a great surrounding cast. He was a very productive run stopper in the middle of the Tide’s defense.
As far as the Bengals are concerned, Ragland probably compares to current linebacker Maualuga, but as a slightly upgraded, and younger, version. Ragland is an instinctive, 2-down run stopper in the middle, who could suffer from Maualuga-esque coverage issues due to lackluster speed. Ragland, like Maualuga back in 2009, could potentially slip in the draft due to his uninspiring combine results.