Bengals Bytes (4/16): Mock drafts keep missing needs

Could Bengals be waiting on Eric Reid till post draft
The Cincinnati Bengals were the first to reach out to safety Eric Reid, formally playing for the San Francisco 49ers, this offseason but he ended up leaving without an offer. Most of the news on the situation is circling around Bengals owner Mike Brown asking Reid about his thoughts on not kneeling in 2018. Brown mentioned that he was considering prohibiting kneeling during the anthem this coming season and Reid was unwilling to fully commit at the time.

Draft Countdown: Bengals 2008 first-round pick
As we countdown days until the 2018 draft, we will take a look at the first round pick selections by the Cincinnati Bengals over the last 10 years. Today we will start with linebacker Keith Rivers who they drafted in 2008. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted linebacker Keith Rivers out of USC with the ninth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Rivers will go down as one of the most disappointing first rounds picks for the Bengals only being with the team for four seasons and playing in three. He missed the entire 2011 season due to a wrist injury and missing a total of 29 games while with Cincinnati.

Marvin Lewis wants improvement from everyone, including A.J. Green
Heading into Monday, even Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green isn’t safe from the major expectations set by head coach Marvin Lewis. Like the rest of the offense, Green struggled a year ago as a miserable offensive line limited what Andy Dalton could do from under center.

One Year Removed: Grading the Bengals 2017 NFL Draft
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Wide Receiver John Ross at ninth overall in the first round which earns a grade of pi because that’s the only way to view this draft pick: irrational. With players such as defensive end Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Derek Barnett, and safety Malik Hooker available, the Bengals shockingly selected Ross. Ross turned heads at the combine by setting a 40-yard dash record of 4.22 seconds. He also pulled his hamstring during that run, though, playing into the narrative that he is injury-prone.

Hobson's Choice: signings and sightings
You’ll get pretty much the same player at 15 that you’ll get at 21 that you’ll get at 40. I think you’d rather have two third-rounders in this draft, like the Bengals, rather than two first-rounders. Ask Buffalo. From what I’m hearing the strength of this draft is rounds two through five, so if anything the smart move is trading back in the first round. How about maybe solving three problems in the first two days? I think they can stay right where they are and come out of the first five rounds with a starting center, a linebacker that won’t start but is active on game day, and a safety of some sort. The sense is it’s not a strong backer group at the top but there are some solid ones later on.

How high is Iowa James Daniels on Bengals draft board
The pre-draft visits continue to log frequent flyer miles as the Cincinnati Bengals are looking at multiple prospects for their first few selections in this year’s draft. The offensive line prospects continue to meet with the Bengals as Iowa center James Daniels is to meet with the team before the draft. The team has also recently met with Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey recently.

Mock Drafts continue to lack Bengals needs
ESPN’s Mel Kiper continues his three-round mock drafts and his most recent mock has the Cincinnati Bengals failing to address their biggest needs. Kiper has the Bengals drafting Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey in the first round which would help that right side of the offensive line that needs a great deal of work. This makes a lot of sense with the number of visits the Bengals have spent with the tackle. Unfortunately, that’s the only offensive line help the team would be taking with their first four picks.

AFC North Bytes

Joe Flacco hasn’t handled the pass rush very well
It goes without saying that the main goal of any good offensive line should be to protect their quarterback. In addition to wanting to keep your quarterback upright and off the turf, it’s conventional wisdom that any signal-caller will undoubtedly perform better without opposing defenders breathing down their neck. However, the Baltimore Ravens may want to place extra emphasis on pass protection in light of some rather revealing statistics.

Dorsey's scouting background and connections raise hopes for the Browns
Lamar Jackson is the latest (and last) top quarterback prospect to stop by Berea. The smoke from this visit is especially thick if your takeaway is that the Browns are considering taking two quarterbacks high in the NFL draft later this month. John Dorsey didn't rule out a second draft pick at QB when he spoke at the NFL owner's meetings. The updated list of things Dorsey has ruled out: nothing.

Random Bytes

Report: Rob Gronkowski Skipping Start of Offseason Program, Could Still Retire
Tight end Rob Gronkowski reportedly won't be in attendance when the New England Patriots' offseason program begins Monday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gronk has had "good communication" with the organization, and he is still weighing whether he wants to play in 2018.

James Harrison Retires from NFL, Won 2 Super Bowls with Steelers
James Harrison's NFL career is over after 15 years, the veteran linebacker announced Monday. "I've missed way too much for way too long...and I'm done. Many thanks to my family, coaches, the fans, and everyone who played a role in my football life," Harrison wrote on Instagram.

Love and Football: NFL Insiders on the Josh Rosen Question and Why It Matters
Sam Darnold turned the ball over 22 times this past season. Josh Allen completed 56 percent of his passes. Baker Mayfield was tackled by a police officer after trying to run from law enforcement. But when NFL teams look at those quarterbacks, they see problems that can be fixed. On-field decision-making and accuracy and off-field discipline that can be taught and monitored.