Bengals Bytes (4/12): Does Cincinnati need to draft another receiver

Bengals official 2018 NFL draft hats for rookies are here
It’s not a bad-looking hat — especially considering what some other teams got. The Jacksonville Jaguars, for example, only have “Jags” on the underbrim. This Bengals hat is at least creative. If the rookie the Bengals select at No. 21 is in attendance during the draft, they’ll don this hat and we’ll get to see what it looks like under the bright lights.

Cincinnati Bengals to Bills: "Coming to get more chicken wings"
After the Bills' 2018 preseason lineup was released Wednesday, the Cincinnati Bengals tweeted that they are ready for some more chicken wings. "Hey @buffalobills- the wins were so good we thought we'd visit and get some more," a Twitter post by the team joked Wednesday. The Bills and Bengals will face off in week three of the preseason. In January, the Bengals paved the way for the Bills to end their playoff drought, by defeating the Baltimore Ravens.

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Draft strategy: Wide receivers
Receiver lands 11th of 12. The position was addressed specifically last year with first-round pick John Ross and fourth-rounder Josh Malone. It could be addressed as the team still seeks a weapon opposite A.J. Green, but there are prospects in line.

Bengals owner met with Eric Reid to discuss protests during the anthem
Former 49ers safety Eric Reid took a visit with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that there was a “real chance” he signed on the visit. During his visit, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio reports that kneeling during the national anthem became a topic of discussion with owner Mike Brown

Fittingly, Bengals, Bills go national as 2018 preseason schedule released
Bills fans get to thank Tyler Boyd and Andy Dalton in person when the Bengals travel to Buffalo for the dress rehearsal third pre-season game to be nationally-televised by Fox. The game also pits old friend AJ McCarron against the Bengals team that drafted and developed him in what will no doubt be his longest stint of the summer as he settles in as the Bills starting quarterback.

TDBH: Bengals beef up draft dealing away another first rounder
After the A.J. Green-Andy Dalton draft of the previous April yields a surprising play-off berth, the Bengals continue their massive youth movement today when they trade linebacker Keith Rivers to the Super Bowl champion Giants for the last pick in the fifth round. That gives them nine picks in a draft that begins two weeks from today and can cement them as play-off contenders for the next five years since they already have a league-leading four Pro Bowlers 24 years old or younger. Four of the picks are courtesy of trades that include an extra first-rounder from the Raiders when they send disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer to Oakland for the 17th pick at last season’s trade deadline.

Dre looking to change it up
Dre Kirkpatrick, suddenly it seems, is the Bengals most experienced cornerback starting his seventh season. Yet he sounds like a new man at age 28. He’s healthy for one thing. For another he likes the new look the Bengals look to be developing under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. He’s also ready to stop the talking and start the playing.

Bengals 2018 Preseason Schedule Features National TV Date for Ninth Time in Nine Years
The Bengals’ 2018 preseason schedule features a nationally televised game at Buffalo, home dates against Chicago and Indianapolis, plus a road game at Dallas. The only preseason game whose exact date and kickoff time is presently known is the game against Buffalo in Week 3 on Sunday, Aug. 26. The 4 p.m. game will be nationally televised by FOX. The Bengals lead the Bills 6-5 in preseason. The teams last met in preseason in 2010, with the Bills winning 35-20 in Buffalo.

AFC North Bytes

BALTIMORE: Ravens Interest in Lamar Jackson May Not be a Bluff
If you asked me a couple months ago I would say the chances were slim that the Ravens would use an early pick on a QB. In fact, my QB Positional Overview *shameless plug* from January, focused on mid to later round options. I listened to one of Daniel Jeremiah’€™s pods a few weeks ago and he mentioned Baltimore as a sneaky first round QB destination. Later he mocked Baker Mayfield to the Ravens.

The Cleveland Browns Would Live to Regret Drafting Josh Allen at No. 1
The Cleveland Browns can't possibly spend two years amassing draft picks and salary-cap space only to screw up their rebuilding process by selecting Wyoming's Josh Allen at the top of the NFL draft. The Allen hype train careened out of control in recent weeks with the quarterback reportedly becoming the Browns' (current) favorite target.

Random Bytes

Expect the Unexpected from the Fully Loaded Patriots in the Draft
The Patriots Dynasty is in big trouble, amiright? They just lost the Super Bowl. Then they didn't gain nearly as much talent in free agency as they lost (including left tackle Nate Solder and Super Bowl XLIX hero turned Super Bowl LII unsolved mystery Malcolm Butler).

Odell Beckham Jr. Rumors: Teams Think Giants Will Keep WR Through NFL Draft
For those expecting New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to be traded by the NFL draft, don't hold your breath. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday the feeling around the league is that New York will not deal its star wideout before or at the 2018 NFL draft, which will be held in Arlington, Texas, from April 26-28. Teams previously believed there was a realistic possibility the three-time Pro Bowler would be dealt, according to Schefter.

2018 NFL Preseason Schedule Released: Opponents, Dates, Times and More
The anticipation for the 2018 NFL season, which starts Sept. 6, can begin after the league announced the full 65-game preseason schedule Wednesday. Things will kick off Aug. 2 with the Hall of Fame Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. That matchup will be part of the annual enshrinement festivities during the week.