Bengals Bytes (2/24): Does it matter that the Bengals reloaded with compensatory picks?

Cincinnati Bengals Non-Playoff Team Free Agency Targets: Indianapolis Colts
The NFL offseason is in full swing, ladies and gentlemen. An exciting Super Bowl ended the 2017 playoffs with a bang only a couple weeks ago, but it isn’t long until we see 2018 truly begin. Only a few weeks away is March 14, the beginning of free agency. Now is the time to figure out who is worth pursuing for and from every team in regards to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bengals position outlook: Running backs
In this series, we’ll take a look at each position on the Cincinnati Bengals' roster with a review of the 2017 season, how the players graded and where...

Bengals get four compensatory picks in this year’s NFL draft
The Cincinnati Bengals were awarded four compensatory picks for the 2018 NFL draft, scheduled to be held in Arlington, Texas on April 26-28. The Bengals picked up the last pick in the third round, a pick in the fifth round and two picks in the seventh. Dallas, Green Bay and Oakland also received four compensatory picks. Arizona and Houston each received three.

Cincinnati Bengals top NFL in draft pick accumulation, but does it matter?
The latest round of compensatory picks were issued Friday and yet again the Bengals found themselves near the top of the crop for accumulating value. The league awarded them the maximum four selections as compensation for free agent losses sustained last season. They received an extra third-round pick for Kevin Zeitler (Cleveland), fifth for Andrew Whitworth (LA Rams) and two sevenths for Karlos Dansby (Arizona) and Margus Hunt (Indianapolis).

Bengals get full house again with extra picks
For the second straight draft the Bengals received the maximum four compensatory picks but this time got a third-rounder Friday when the NFL revealed the results of its byzantine free-agent formula. Joining the Bengals with four were Dallas, Green Bay and Oakland as Cincinnati again stands to take home 11 picks.

TDBH: Diversity advocates honor Mike Brown with highest honor
When Bengals president Mike Brown receives the 2012 Game Ball from the Fritz Pollard Alliance here today in a reception during the NFL scouting combine, John Wooten can throw it all the way back to Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns of 50 years ago. Wooten, chairman of the Alliance that seeks to diversify the coaching and front-office ranks of the NFL, is a guard on Brown's last four teams after he’s drafted in 1959. "The award goes to a person who has made a difference in leveling the playing field for minorities," Wooten says. "And it's a tradition that goes back to Mike's father."

AFC North Bytes

Joe Thomas Doesn’t Believe Browns Will Be Players For Kirk Cousins
Joe Thomas’ efforts to recruit Kirk Cousins via Twitter won’t be enough to lure the soon-to-be free agent quarterback to Cleveland and the 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle is coming to grips with that. Thomas, who has advocated that Cousins be a top target for the team this offseason, is getting the same feeling that has been growing around the league for 2 weeks now – the Browns are not going to be players for the quarterback in March.

Under the radar free agent possibilities for the Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are an organization not typically known for going after big, splashy free agency signings. Yet, the past few years the reputation is in the rearview mirrors, as they’ve brought in big names like Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson, Danny Woodhead and Elvis Dumervil. Regardless of how they’re perceived to usually play the market, they’re again must navigate for value to succeed for the 2018-2019 NFL season. If they do opt to bring in some of the bigger names to fill their needs, they’ll also need to consider some of the smaller pieces; players who’s price tag isn’t among the elites, yet may provide production. Below is a list of a few guys that could do that for them

Random Bytes

Report: Jonathan Martin in Custody After Post with Gun, Threats Makes HS Close
Former NFL offensive lineman Jonathan Martin has reportedly been taken into custody after a post on his Instagram page led to his former high school in California being shut down, per Matt Stone of ABC News. According to James Queally, Richard Winton and Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times, Harvard-Westlake High School closed Friday morning in the wake of a "security risk" due to the disturbing post from Martin's Instagram account, though it's not certain if Martin is the one who made the post.

Marcus Peters Reportedly Expected to Be Traded to Rams
The Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly trade cornerback Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, talks between the Chiefs and Rams are in the final stages with a deal expected to be agreed on as early as Friday "barring an unexpected snag." NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Chiefs would receive a package of draft picks in return for the corner.

Jaguars Reportedly Exploring Free Agent QBs, Severing Blake Bortles Contract
The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly exploring avenues to upgrade at quarterback in advance of free agency. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Jacksonville's front office has been "actively" searching for Blake Bortles' replacement and that process "likely will continue—if not accelerate—next week at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis."