Bengals Bytes (5/14): The Andy Dalton scale

Top 5 NFL quarterbacks returning from injury this season
Although the defensive-led Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos may have muddled the picture a bit, the NFL is still a quarterback-driven league. At least the Rams and Eagles think so, enough to trade a boatload of picks to move up to No. 1 and No. 2 overall in this year's draft to select Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, respectively.

Best and worst 2016 NFL Draft picks: AFC North
While the Bengals scored a dynamic offensive threat in Round 2, the Browns made a surprise selection in Round 3. Lance Zierlein reveals the best and worst picks for each team in the AFC North.

Bengals: Which Player Will Have the Most Impact in 2016
The Cincinnati Bengals have a number of players who could get a starting nod in their first year, including the unusual rookie starter role. Karlos Dansby and Brandon LaFell will certainly make an impact in year one but will it be more than Tyler Boyd or Andrew Billings?

Bengals' Williams ready to start, not thinking contract
To live through free agency in the National Football League can be stressful, yet exciting, for a player. There is a chance for your current to team re-sign you, or you could hit the open market and head out to the highest bidder. Or, the market may not be as flush as you hoped, and it becomes a tense waiting game. George Iloka and Reggie Nelson lived it this season. Shawn Williams watched, and learned.

WalterFootball.com: Why the Slide?: Andrew Billings
During the lead up to the 2016 NFL Draft, it was commonplace for Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings to be projected to be an early-round selection. Many mock drafts had Billings in the first round, I had him in the second round. Nobody thought he would end up slipping to the third day of the 2016 NFL Draft. The 2016 class was extremely strong for interior defensive lineman, and that played a role in Billings sliding all the way to the fourth round before being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals. In a typical year of defensive linemen, Billings would probably have gone on the second day.

Voluntary Workouts
Cincinnati Bengals host voluntary workouts at Paul Brown Stadium Practice Fields 5/12/2016.

Hobson's Choice: a little spring cleaning
I think you’re going to see George Iloka and Shawn Williams in the middle of this defense for the next five years with Williams turning 25 on Friday and Iloka turning 26 two weeks after he signed his five-year, $30 million deal. Williams is in the last year of his deal, but he’s their kind of guy that they wrap up. Serious. Committed. All about the game.

The "Dalton Scale"
A room full of heroes -- Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Chris Wesseling and Marc Sessler – break down the latest news from the NFL including Sam Bradford’s agent saying his client wanted to play for the Broncos and the potential of the Titans "Thunder and Thunder" backfield. Then the heroes talk some "Top 100" players of 2016 before wrapping the show breaking down NFL QBs using the "Dalton Scale."

Random Bytes

Syracuse to offer first undergraduate degree in sports analytics
Sports analytics has been growing rapidly over time. Baseball teams like the Houston Astros have directors of decision science now, to help manage all of the available information as to make the best decisions possible in player evaluations, medicine, and mechanics of the sport.

Falcons owner: NFL would have to 'build a wall' between Raiders and Vegas gambling
When you mention the idea of the Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas, the conversation almost immediately turns to gambling. That's perfectly understandable, of course -- Sin City is known for nothing more than separating people from their hard-earned money. But at least one NFL owner isn't necessarily concerned about the effect of the gaming industry on a potential NFL team in the Nevada desert.

Jason Jones to sign with Miami Dolphins
Jones, 29, will add depth to a veteran group of Dolphins defensive ends that includes aging former Pro Bowlers Cameron Wake, 34, and Mario Williams, 31, along with backup Andre Branch, 26. The Dolphins were ranked 28th against the run last season. Wake is rehabbing from an Achilles injury.

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski to be on cover of 'Madden NFL '17'
This might call for a celebratory "Gronk" spike. New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski -- a transcendent talent at the position and one of the NFL's most popular players -- will be on the cover of "Madden NFL '17," it was announced Thursday night on SportsCenter. Gronkowski is the first tight end to grace the Madden cover and is also the first Patriots player to be selected.

Nick Saban upset with perception that Alabama players enter NFL banged up
The words "Nick Saban is upset" can be followed with countless phrases and still be accurate. (Indeed, the words "Nick Saban is upset" standing alone are pretty much always accurate.) In this specific context, the not-going-to-be-the-Alabama-coach-Alabama-coach is peeved with the perception in NFL circles that his players head to the next level with too much wear and tear.