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As the NFL Draft approaches, teams are sending representatives to pro days being conducted around the country. The Cincinnati Bengals continue their whirlwind tour, with one of the recent stops being at the University of Toledo.
26 teams were at @ToledoFB pro day yesterday. In attendance were CIN QB coach (looking at combine invite Logan Woodside) and NE DPP Nick Caserio.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 20, 2018
OT Elijah Nkansah (6-5 1/8, 298) 5.13/5.09 40s, 28 VJ, 8-6 BJ, 4.66 ss, 7.51 cone, 26 lifts with 34-inch arms. Day 3/PFA https://t.co/VYiJjNjLrq
There, quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt was taking a look at quarterback Logan Woodside, an interesting prospect with some upside. Last year, Woodside threw for 3,882 yards, 28 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He was named the MAC 2017 Offensive Player of the Year, as he led the Rockets to an 11-win season.
Woodside isn’t the most physically-imposing quarterback in the class, standing at 6’2”, but he had a successful run at Toledo. He projects to be a day three pick this April.
If you’re wondering why Van Pelt was there, it’s because the team relies more heavily on its coaches in the scouting process than other clubs. Their scouting staff is smaller than most, hence why the team uses their coaches in dual roles more often. Van Pelt is taking a look at a number of quarterbacks, mostly guys who are expected to be backups. The Bengals signed Matt Barkley to backup Dalton, but there’s no guarantee he makes the roster and the team may draft a quarterback to compete with Barkley and Jeff Driskel.
Elijah Nkansah is another interesting prospect at Toledo, as he was named to the 2017 All-MAC first-team. Opinions vary on his draft value, but the offensive guard should be available on day three, or maybe even as an undrafted free agent.
These are two positions the Bengals will be looking at next month because of recent attrition. Kevin Zeitler left for Cleveland last offseason, while AJ McCarron signed with the Bills this year.