Bengals Bytes (5/3): On notice

John Ross
The record-breaking, ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft tells Complex why he’s the GOAT, which R&B singer is like a big brother to him, and more.

Group urges Bengals to speak out against domestic violence
CINCINNATI (AP) — An advocacy group is urging the Cincinnati Bengals to speak out against domestic violence after the team drafted a player who punched a woman in the face. Women Helping Women called on the team to take a public stand against domestic violence and sexual assault. The Bengals chose Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday even though he was suspended for one year in college for punching a woman.

Hobson's Choice Podcast: Duke Tobin
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin sat down for a Hobson’s Choice podcast and offered some reflections on last week’s dizzying draft with 11 selections and the first one in 50 years in which the club traded both up and down

Joe Mixon will sport Adrian Peterson's No. 28 for Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will wear No. 28 this season, according to the official roster.

Mixon hasn't discussed the significance of the number, but it's the same one worn by New Orleans Saints running back Adrian Peterson. Both were standout players at Oklahoma.

Joe Mixon hopes Cincinnati gives him a chance
He played his last college football game with chants of "He hits women!" raining down from the stands, so maybe that's why Joe Mixon didn't put much thought into how his new NFL city would receive him. Of course there will be fans who despise him.

Bengals say they're joining Women Helping Women to fight domestic violence and sexual assault
The Bengals say they’re teaming up with Women Helping Women in that group’s fight against domestic violence and sexual assault.

Bengals officials met with Women Helping Women leadership Monday, the club said in a statement.

Bengals CB Darqueze Dennard gains confidence from fifth-year option
Votes of confidence have been few and far between for Darqueze Dennard since being selected 24th overall by the Bengals in 2014.

He’s seen injuries derail opportunities, only four starts and two separate veteran corners receive lucrative extensions rather than an open spot for the 25-year-old.

Olympic sprinter destroys John Ross' 40 time after Bengals receiver says he's faster than Usain Bolt
John Ross made waves before the NFL draft by saying he could run the 40 faster than Usain Bolt. Now another Olympic sprinter has shown how preposterous that idea is.

AFC North Bytes

Ravens' memorable offseason lessens chances of forgetting first names
As far as cornerbacks go, the Baltimore Ravens landed the second-best one in the draft and the most durable one in the NFL during free agency.

The additions of rookie Marlon Humphrey and veteran Brandon Carr represents one of the Ravens' biggest commitments to their secondary in recent memory -- with an emphasis on memory.

DeShone Kizer Won't Be Rushed into Starting QB Role, Per Sashi Brown
Cleveland Browns general manager Sashi Brown said Tuesday the organization is going to give rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer "some time" before asking him to take over the team's offense.

Brown provided his outlook on the QB competition, which also includes Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler and Kevin Hogan, during a radio interview on 92.3 The FAN, per ESPN.com.

Why the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted a WR and then 2 CBs
The Steelers waited, then doubled up on cornerbacks in the draft.

They took an outside linebacker first, which was expected. Then a wide receiver, which was possible before it just was. With the 94th pick, they selected Tennessee corner Cameron Sutton and with the 173rd, they got Utah corner Brian Allen.

Random Bytes

What We Learned from the NFL Draft
The Panthers Want to Build Around Versatility, While the Browns and 49ers Want to Build Around X-Men. What did the 2017 NFL draft teach us? For starters, how a handful of GMs see their rosters — and what they want their teams to be.

15 steals in the 2017 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is a crapshoot where you don't know the results of the roll for years. But that doesn't mean that you can't be thrilled when you find value in spots you didn't imagine it would be. That's what these picks are — great value in surprising places for teams that are great fits for what the players can provide. Here are the 15 best steals from the 2017 NFL Draft.

Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Is It WrestleMania or the NFL Draft?
If you are like me, and have the humor of a fourth-grader (OK, third-grader), you thought Drew Pearson totally trolling Eagles fans at this year's draft was a thing of beauty.

I have watched the Pearson video maybe 20 times (and counting), and I laugh every...single...time. It was good-natured fun and one of the best moments in the history of the draft. It was awesome.

2017 NFL Draft: Collateral damage hits these veterans
It's not just that the Chiefs wanted to replace Alex Smith. He knew that was coming. It was how badly they wanted to draft a quarterback entirely unlike him.

It was as if coach Andy Reid carefully broke down Smith's strengths and weaknesses, then said: "Yo, get me the opposite of that!"