Bengals Bytes (3/5): Saying goodbye?

WR John Ross breaks 40-yd dash combine record

University of Washington wide receiver John Ross runs the 40-yard dash with an record-breaking time of 4.22 seconds, besting Chris Johnson's 4.24 time.

Combine notes: local angle; bear market for backs and corners

At first blush Vidauntae Charlton, otherwise known as “Taco,” to Big Blue Nation, doesn’t fit the Bengals. He started only 15 games at Michigan after not doing his much his first three seasons and the Bengals are all about big-school production in the draft. But at 6-6, Charlton is also a prototype of the 4-3 end the Bengals defense has used the last decade and since he grew up in Pickerington, Ohio on the outskirts of Columbus, he has watched 6-6 Carlos Dunlap and 6-7 Michael Johnson do their thing for the Bengals.

Re-sign or say goodbye? Predictions on every NFL teams' top free agent - 2017 offseason

Will the Patriots re-sign Dont'a Hightower, or will he get a better offer elsewhere? What about Brandon Williams and the Ravens? Alshon Jeffery and the Bears? NFL Nation reporters predict the outcomes for the biggest internal free agents on the teams they cover.

AFC North Bytes

3 DeShone Kizer quotes that should please Browns fans, and one that won't

If you want personality, you're not going to want DeShone Kizer. "I'm a guy who is pretty serious," the Notre Dame quarterback pointed out Friday at the NFL Combine. Kizer answered media questions for about 15 minutes and didn't smile once. Just calm, composed and clear in his answers.

Bell: Steelers would've beaten Patriots if I was healthy

Le'Veon Bell just received the exclusive franchise tag and is in negotiations for a mega long-term deal to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers. So why is the tailback living in the past? On Friday, Bell took to ESPN's First Take of all places to rehash Pittsburgh's disappointing defeat to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, a contest that he says could have turned if not for his untimely injury.

Ravens face difficult decision of when to focus on finding QB Joe Flacco's successor

For NFL teams, finding a franchise quarterback is an all-encompassing activity, even during the NFL scouting combine. At his news conference at the combine Thursday, Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson, whose 1-15 team started three quarterbacks in 2016 and had two others take snaps, was barraged with questions about the position for a second straight year.

Random Bytes

Eight trends that will impact free agency market

NFL teams reveal what they value in free agency before it even starts. If a player can win on third down, he probably won't make it to the market. Pass rushers who can wreak havoc are protected like endangered wildlife. Offensive tackles who start and avoid comparisons to turnstiles get re-signed.

Jeremy Kerley agrees to three-year deal with 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are rewarding their leading receiver's career year with a new contract. Jeremy Kerley has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Niners, the team announced Saturday. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the contract is worth $10.5 million, per a source informed of the situation. After five seasons with the Jets, Kerley joined the Lions in free agency in 2016, but lasted just one training camp in Detroit before the organization traded him to San Francisco.

Report: Patriots offered 32nd pick for Brandin Cooks

The Saints want a “significant return” for receiver Brandin Cooks. The last pick in round one apparently isn’t significant enough. Josh Katzenstein of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Patriots have offered the 32nd selection for Cooks, and that the Saints declined. It’s unclear whether the Patriots offered more picks or whether the Saints have countered.

NFL Combine 2017: Live Results, Analysis and Highlights for QB, WR and TE Workouts

Follow Saturday's live coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine to keep tabs on a trio of quarterbacks whose draft projections constantly fluctuate. Will Deshaun Watson force the Cleveland Browns to rethink their interest in Mitch Trubisky? Will DeShone Kizer steal the show? Take your first look at the battle between Mike Williams and Corey Davis for the top wide receiver spot.