NFL Draft 2017: Best players available for Rounds 4-7

It certainly has been a memorable draft so far. It’s amazing how many talented players are left going into the third and final day of the 2017 NFL Draft. There aren’t too many prospects left that aren’t risks or project players, but the Bengals are in great position to get a player who should’ve been drafted in rounds two or three in the fourth round.

Also the Bengals have nine remaining picks after picking up the Vikings’ fourth round pick by trading back in the second round. It has been rumored they may want to package some of those picks to move up at some point during the third day. This makes sense since Marvin Lewis said before the draft that it would be hard to have 11 rookies make the roster. It is easy to make the case it’d be even harder to have 12 make it instead.

The full list of remaining players among SB Nation’s top 100 includes:

Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

Caleb Brantley, DL, Florida

Desmond King, CB, Iowa

Chad Hansen, WR, California

Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson

Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh

Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh

Ejuan Price, DE, Pittsburgh

Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson

Corn Elder, CB, Miami

Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

The Bengals met with Hodges and Leggett who both could provide depth at the tight end position. Cincinnati also attended Oklahoma’s pro day which includes players like Perine and Westbrook. Although, the Bengals have already addressed the running back and receiver position, so it is doubtful they go that route in Round 4.

There are also plenty of offensive linemen who could add some depth to the offensive line that is a shell of itself from last season. The Bengals could also add another pass rusher like Lawson who has fallen quite a bit, which nobody can understand. It seems like he’s the Andrew Billings of this year’s draft. He was originally 37th on this list of the top prospects and has made it to the third day of the draft. It could be another great value fourth round pick for the defensive line.

The best remaining players from Pro Football Focus:

1. Carl Lawson, Edge, Auburn

2. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

3. Joe Mathis, Edge, Washington

4. Caleb Brantley, Defensive Interior, Florida

5. Vincent Taylor, Defensive Interior, Oklahoma State

6. Desmond King, CB, Iowa

7. Corn Elder, CB, Miami

8. George Kittle, TE, Iowa

9. Deatrich Wise Jr., Edge, Arkansas

10. Roderick Johnson, OT, FSU

11. Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech

12. Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama

13. Ejuan Price, Edge, Pittsburgh

14. Tanzel Smart, Defensive Interior, Tulane

15. Tedric Thompson, S, Colorado

16. Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

17. Chad Hansen, WR, California

18. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

19. Vince Biegel, Edge, Wisconsin

20. Nathan Gerry, S, Nebraska

21. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

22. Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina

23. Chase Roullier, C, Wyoming

24. Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA

25. Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh

Off Pro Football Focus’ list the Bengals met with Kittle. There seems to be a trend with them meeting with mid round tight ends. It makes it feel inevitable they draft one during the third day.

The Bengals have done a great job at improving their offense and adding some extra pressure for their defensive line, but they still haven’t addressed the most glaring need of all entering the draft and that is offensive line. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Lewis and the Bengals take a few linemen on the third day, maybe a tackle, guard and center.

A guy like Johnson out of Florida State is a raw offensive tackle who has all the physical abilities, but he just needs polished up technique wise. He may not be the instant starter many fans were hoping for, and the Bengals need. He is however a good value if the Bengals can grab him in the fourth round. Roullier is an interior offensive lineman who can play center or guard as well if the Bengals value him more than Johnson.

One of the best names in the draft remains on the board as well with Corn Elder out of Miami.

Realistically if the Bengals package their later picks with the compensatory fourth round pick they could move up enough to grab another pass rusher, add an offensive lineman who has a chance of becoming a starter down the road and add a tight end to be Tyler Eifert insurance. They should also draft a kicker at some point in the later rounds. The Bengals can finish this draft strong, but they also could pull the trigger on a trade sooner rather than later, to make the class even stronger.