With the No. 128 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals have selected Tennessee wide receiver Josh Malone. This pick comes after the Bengals traded back in Round 2 with the Minnesota Vikings and picked up an extra fourth rounder as a result.
This is the second wide receiver the Bengals have drafted as John Ross was selected out of Washington in Round 1.
Malone ran a 4.40 second 40-yard dash at the combine as well as registering 10 reps on the bench press, 35" vertical jump, 121" broad jump. Malone started six games as a freshman in 2014, catching 23 passes for 231 yards and 1 touchdown. He became a full-time starter in his sophomore campaign and in 2016, his junior and final college season, he caught 50 passes for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Bengals attended Malone’s pro day and were interested in many Tennessee players. He was a five-star recruit out of high school and was the Vols' leading receiver for the last two years and a had both four and five game touchdown streaks this season. After Malone’s selection on NFL Network, the team said said they believe he will be even better in the NFL than he was in college. He can stretch out to make tough catches
This is the Bengals’ second SEC player on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-3, Malone was assumed to be an early draft pick on Day 3, which is exactly where he wound up being selected. He was Mel Kiper's seventh best player available today and the Bengals got him with their second of three Round 4 picks. Among his weaknesses is a tendency to drop passes and poor footwork. He also has a limited route tree, which is easily improvable at the NFL level. His best routes in college were slants and comeback routes and his toughness will serve him well in the NFL. Malone is also known for his impressive size and ability to track down the ball.
Poll
How do you grade the Bengals’ Round 4b selection of Josh Malone?
This poll is closed
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28%
A
(489 votes) -
45%
B
(772 votes) -
17%
C
(304 votes) -
5%
D
(94 votes) -
2%
F
(39 votes)
The Bengals’ remaining top draft needs are:
LB, C, OT, OG, K
Here’s a rundown of every pick the Bengals hold in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Bengals 2017 NFL Draft Picks
| Round | Pick # |
|---|---|
| Round | Pick # |
| Round 1 | Pick 9 |
| Round 2 | Pick 48 |
| Round 3 | Pick 73 |
| Round 4 | Pick 116 |
| Round 4 | Pick 128** |
| Round 4 | Pick 138* |
| Round 5 | Pick 153 |
| Round 5 | Pick 176* |
| Round 6 | Pick 193 |
| Round 6 | Pick 207** |
| Round 7 | Pick 251* |
NFL Draft schedule:
Rounds 4-7: 12 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 29: (Rounds 4-6 – 5 minutes per pick, Round 7 - 4 minutes per pick). Watch live on ESPN and NFL Network.