Bengals Bytes (3/6): What could the market for Tyler Eifert look like?

2018 NFL Draft: Bengals 7-round mock draft, post-combine edition
All the top NFL Draft prospects have now been put through the drills as the scouting combine is officially in the books. One week before free agency, with the help of Fanspeak, let’s squeeze another mock draft in before the frenzy begins, which will also bring a little more clarity to the situation surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals.

2018 NFL free agent market: Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert
Tyler Eifert gets it. The phrase “when healthy” can apply to the bulk of the players in the National Football League – it’s the nature of the business – but for him, it’s more than just a qualifier. On the eve of free agency, it’s a phrase that will directly affect his life.

2018 NFL free agent market: Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert
Tyler Eifert gets it. The phrase “when healthy” can apply to the bulk of the players in the National Football League – it’s the nature of the business – but for him, it’s more than just a qualifier. On the eve of free agency, it’s a phrase that will directly affect his life.

Cincinnati Bengals Non-Playoff Team Free Agency Targets: Seattle Seahawks
After reaching the playoffs every year from 2011-2015, the Cincinnati Bengals fell short of the postseason for the second year in a row. Now they await NFL Free Agency in 2018, which could be key for them getting back in the mix. Entering the offseason, we started with a series that highlighted players from playoff teams that the Bengals could look at in free agency. Now, the focus has turned to the other teams that weren’t in the postseason.

Bengals mock draft: What does Cincinnati want to see happen in April?
With the Combine wrapping up and free agency two weeks away, here's a mock draft taking a closer look at what the Bengals would like to see happen in front of them during April's first round of the NFL Draft and the players they will be choosing between when they go on the clock. Their team needs lead with the offensive line and include defensive tackle, tight end and potentially a safety.

TDBH: Carter assumes role as starting RB
The star-crossed career of Bengals running back Ki-Jana Carter takes another twist tonight when word leaks out of San Francisco that the 49ers have signed Bengals leading rusher Garrison Heart. Nearly two years after the Bengals trade up to take Carter with the first overall pick in the draft, he is now the bell cow, to use a favorite term of club president Mike Brown. Bengals officials spend the next few days putting the spotlight on Carter after last season’s 2.9 yards per carry mire him in fourth place on the team’s rushing list despite having the second most carries with 91. Now that two years will have passed since the devastating ACL injury cost his rookie season of 1995, Carter, the Bengals feel, is ready because they don’t make much of an effort to re-sign Hearst.

Dallas Cowboys: Free agent series: Could Cowboys turn to trio of Bengals to help shore up offensive line? | SportsDay
The most glaring came in mid-November, when Chaz Green had to start for injured left tackle Tyron Smith, and Atlanta defensive end Adrian Clayborn set a team record with six sacks. The Cowboys have three of the best offensive linemen in the NFL in Smith, center Travis Frederick and right guard Zack Martin. But Dallas will be looking for more help up front when free agency begins March 14.

AFC North Bytes

Ravens have to learn from past and not go all-in on Jarvis Landry
The Ravens haven’t done much in the draft to remedy the problem. Since 2005, they’ve selected just four wide receivers in the first three rounds of the draft. When they have attempted to find their No. 1 wide receiver, they’ve gone all-in on speed at the expense of route-running and catching ability. Torrey Smith and Breshad Perriman are the team’s highest-drafted wide receivers since 2005, and while Smith had a decent Ravens career, Perriman has not panned out.

Browns bringing in cornerback Sam Shields for a visit
The Browns will be hosting former Packers cornerback Sam Shields for a visit later this week, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 2014 Pro Bowler was released by the Packers in February of 2017, and did not play last season while choosing to receive treatment for concussions.

Random Bytes

Combine Notebook: Safeties Steal the Show as Workouts Wrap Up in Indy
Defensive backs took the field Monday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. The largest group in the event's history provided a mixed bag of results, with outstanding 40-yard-dash times and inconsistent workouts. The headliners—Ohio State's Denzel Ward, Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick and Florida State's Derwin James—lived up to expectations. Beyond them, a peculiar flip-flop occurred between the cornerbacks and safeties.

NFL Reportedly Sets 2018 Salary Cap at $177.2 Million, Up from $167 Million
The NFL's salary cap has been set at $177.2 million, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Monday. According to Garafolo, the league has made all 32 teams aware of the figure. It represents a $10 million increase over the 2017 salary cap, which was $167 million.

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller's 7-Round Predictions, Post-Combine
The NFL combine is the official jumping-off point for many of the rumors and news we hear in the draft world that affects where each player is selected and who teams are looking for. With the combine in the rearview mirror and my notebook full of player evaluations and rumors, it's time to update you with a seven-round mock draft.