Bengals Bytes (4/16): From best to worst

NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals prospects in the secondary

Many scouts are calling this the best group of defensive backs available in a number of years. The only real question is whether cornerback or safety is the deep position group in the draft. The safeties seem to have more top-end talent. There’s a chance there could be just two corners selected in the first round. There’s also a pretty good chance as many as 14 will be off the board by the end of the second.

Two "Perfect" Players Bengals Should Consider In The Draft

Hopefully, the Cincinnati Bengals are approaching the NFL Draft with open minds. After another season of free agency losses, it’s time to reload and set the stage for another AFC North showdown. The War Room has snagged some great picks over the years. But, returning to the top of the heap in the North will require offensive and defensive weapons that can contribute immediately.

The 5 best and 5 worst Bengals first-round draft picks in franchise history

Much uncertainty surrounds just who the Bengals will select with the ninth pick overall in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27, but one thing is for sure they can't afford for that player to become a bust.

AFC North Bytes

CBS Sports picks Edwin Mulitalo as the Ravens best compensatory pick

If there is one thing that Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome loves to collect and take advantage of, it's the compensatory picks and the formula of it. Its part of the reason why the Ravens are okay with giving up talented players that are about to become unrestricted free agents such as Torrey Smith, Pernell McPhee, and Kelechi Osemele.

As Rumors Swirl, the Browns' Pick at No. 1 Has NFL and Other Teams Concerned

"I feel sorry for them." That's how the conversation started with a longtime NFL team executive this week. Sympathy in the NFL is not a common currency. Sympathy is seen as a weakness. Sympathy is for suckers. Sympathy is a currency for losers. He was talking about the Cleveland Browns.

Martavis Bryant moves one step closer to reinstatement

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant posted on Snapchat that he was in New York City and had a “big day” upcoming. He wasn't kidding.

Random Bytes

NFL Draft 2017: Mock Draft and Potential Surprise 1st-Round Picks to Watch

The National Football League definitely loves surprises during its draft. They add to the spectacle of the event, which has allowed the draft to become must-watch television. Fortunately for the NFL, there are going to be surprises as long as teams continue to throw up smokescreens leading up to the draft. In other words, there are always going to be surprises.

Cam Newton Rocks Floral Shirt-Short Combo at Coachella Music Festival

Cam Newton added music festivals to the places where he stands out. The 6'5", 245-pound former NFL MVP looks like a tight end playing quarterback on the field for the Carolina Panthers, and he was not trying to hide at Coachella.

Bears re-sign linebacker Sam Acho to a one-year contract

The Chicago Bears have re-signed linebacker Sam Acho to a one-year contract. Acho has started 45 of 82 games over six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2011-14) and Chicago Bears (2015-16).

Report: Bills hesitant to exercise Watkins' 2018 option

The deadline to exercise fifth-year options on 2014 first-round picks is approaching, and Sammy Watkins' long-term future with the Buffalo Bills remains in limbo. The wide receiver, drafted fourth overall out of Clemson three years ago, has incurred multiple injuries over his first three seasons, the latest being a foot ailment that landed him on injured reserve in 2016. The Bills have seen Watkins miss 11 games over the past two years and are reportedly hesitant about extending the wideout through 2018.