Bengals Bytes (2/20): Win-now Draft

Cincinnati Bengals 2017 Mock Draft: Instant Win Mode

Ideally, you don’t let your 26-year-old guard walk. But, with the way guards are getting paid now, Zeitler might be priced out of our range. He might not be quite as dominant as Kelechi Osemele, but he sure will be looking to get paid like him. And considering Osemele just signed for an average annual salary of $11.7 million- that’s looking like too much of an investment. The offensive line needs all the help it can get this upcoming year, but with Super Bowl aspirations, that much money can’t be thrown at a guard, can it?

2017 NFL mock draft: Titans, Bengals pull top-10 shockers

The wide range of opinions on prospects and what teams should do with their top picks is a huge part of what makes the NFL draft such an entertaining and compelling event for football fans. With the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon, the predraft crazy train is finally starting to rev up near its top speed, with projections and opinions flying all over the place from every direction.

Cincinnati Bengals free agency 2017: Top 5 targets

The Cincinnati Bengals look to bounce back from their dreadful 2016 NFL campaign. Here are five players they need to target in NFL free agency this spring. The Cincinnati Bengals had one of their worst seasons in recent memory. For the first time since A.J. Green and Andy Dalton earned their tiger stripes, the Bengals missed the AFC Playoffs with a dismal 6-9-1 record.

AFC North Bytes

Last Two Franchised RBs Received Very Different Contracts

At some point prior to March 1 the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to place the franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell and ahead of that happening, former NFL player agent Joel Corry has now written a lengthy post that details how the long-term contract negotiations might go for both sides from that point forward. Not only does Corry detail how the franchise tag and Bell’s 2016 season might help his cause when it comes to him receiving very lucrative money from the Steelers, but also how the declining running back market might hurt him some.

Should Cleveland Browns Use NFL Draft To Improve Receiving Corps?

The Cleveland Browns have re-signed Jamie Collins for a lot of money. They still have somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million left to use if they so desire? Some of this space will be taken by the draft choices they make in this years talent pool. But with Terrelle Pryor a free agent and Isaiah Crowell a restricted free agent, they still have work to do and decisions to make.

Eisenberg: Grabbing A First-Round Cornerback Is The Best Route For Baltimore, But ...

The Ravens have a chance to nab an elite pass defender for the future foundation of the defense. There are so many other needs, however, that it'd be hard to be complain if Baltimore instead targets a leading pass rusher, a top offensive lineman or another playmaker for Joe Flacco.

Random Bytes

Rosenthal: Giants need to consider life after Eli in the draft

NFL Network's Gregg Rosenthal discusses why the New York Giants should plan for quarterback Eli Manning's retirement in the near future.

Julius Thomas Reportedly Could Be Traded to Dolphins for Branden Albert

The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly close to acquiring left tackle Branden Albert from the Miami Dolphins in a trade for tight end Julius Thomas, per Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel. While the deal would require restructuring of contracts, both players are apparently interested. Albert and Thomas have both gone to two Pro Bowls in their careers.

Jim Irsay says coach, new G.M. are “clicking on all cylinders”

He would have said the team is running like a “fine-tuned machine,” but that phrase already has been used this week. Instead, Colts owner Jim Irsay took to Twitter to declare that his head coach, Chuck Pagano, and new G.M., Chris Ballard, are “clicking on all cylinders.” Irsay added that quarterback Andrew Luck “is healing” and that there are “great things to come.”

Cyrus Jones: I 'didn't feel a part of' Super Bowl win

On paper, Cyrus Jones is a Super Bowl champion, but the cornerback and punt returner feels otherwise. "I'll never take credit for something I don't feel I contributed to," Jones told The Baltimore Sun. "I was part of the team, but I didn't feel a part of it." Jones was selected in the second round (60th pick overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Alabama product's rookie season wasn't without miscues. As a Patriot, Jones averaged 4.2 yards on 11 punt returns and fumbled five times.