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With the 77th and 78th picks in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals have selected Ohio State University defensive end Sam Hubbard and Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson.
The reactions seem overwhelmingly positive regarding both players. They fill positions of need, are strong contenders to have a big role in 2018 and Hubbard grew up a Bengals fan, which is getting him major love.
Here are the social media reactions to the pick including thoughts from players like Joe Mixon, the media and the players themselves as they found out they were being drafted by the Bengals.
And, by the way, Jefferson is receiving a year’s worth of free Pizza Hut pizza due to being pick 3.14 (pi) -- Round 3’s 14th pick. Nice trade, Chiefs! Jefferson surely will take that free pizza, right? Nice way to make fast friends in Cincinnati.
Welcome to the squad brotha @malikjefferson Congrats
— ⚡PRIMETIME!!!⚡ (@Joe_MainMixon) April 28, 2018
Steal! And a cincy kid coming home
— Geordie Boutselis (@another__George) April 28, 2018
Love it! Hell I wanted him for the Second Pick!
— Geek Illustrator Dad (@EhNam) April 28, 2018
Hubbard is cool but that malik jefferson pick is the f@ckin one
— bryan keith scott (@CINCYTHUNDERCAT) April 28, 2018
Hubbard is a BEAST! Can't wait until he sacks Mason Rudolph on a regular basis. Welcome to the Pros. pic.twitter.com/OZ6QjqZwdA
— Robert W Camerlinck (@BobbyOathAngel) April 28, 2018
In the 3rd? Love it!
— Kevin McCune (@KevinMcCune) April 28, 2018
Ras for Jefferson and Hubbard, pretty good. The defense is getting younger. pic.twitter.com/94zSZhStF0
— Waldo Roren (@Waldo_Roren) April 28, 2018
SAM IS A BENGAL?!!?! YES!!! #WhoDey #Bengals https://t.co/Nx2ZCOEQzi
— HeatherC ⚾⛸ (@kwanfan1212) April 28, 2018
Austin on drafting a guy at each level on defense: “I’m glad that we were able to get the help we need.” Added that they’ll be able to earn a role and continue to improve and help this football team.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) April 28, 2018
hubbard- fine, he can become a starter, has bend and knows how to use his hands. better pick here than in round 2
— John Sheeran (@John__Sheeran) April 28, 2018
jefferson- ideal will, great burfict insurance, should be in their nickel week 1
Hubbard says he was in the building when Carson Palmer had his knee blown out against the Steelers in the 2005 playoffs.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 28, 2018
Sam Hubbard attended a lot of Bengals games as a kid. We asked him which ones. He said he was at the game where Carson Palmer blew out his knee. Oh.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) April 28, 2018
Sam Hubbard: "I've got a state championship in Ohio, a national championship at Ohio State. Now it's time to bring a Super Bowl to Cincinnati." @FOX19 #Bengals @LetsGoBigMoe #Buckeyes
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) April 28, 2018
Hubbard: "I've been watching Carlos Dunlap for years, him being an Urban Meyer guy. I love watching their defensive line. I went to Paul Brown Stadium at least once a year. It's just crazy I am going to be playing there one day."
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 28, 2018
Sam Hubbard got after the QB a year ago pic.twitter.com/nPG7JF4b5V
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 12, 2018
Malik Jefferson said he's a natural outside linebacker, he feels natural on the edge, but said he's learning to be an inside linebacker and feels that's important.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) April 28, 2018
Malik Jefferson on his positional strength: "I'm natural outside but still learning inside. I think 100 percent getting the inside position down is important to me."
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 28, 2018
Hubbard said he's going to keep his mouth shut, work his a-- off and show players like Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins that he's there to contribute.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) April 28, 2018
The #Bengals tonight drafted one DL, one LB, and one DB. Marv is letting Teryl Austin create a brand new defense
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) April 28, 2018
Bengals go heavy defense with DE Sam Hubbard (77) and LB Malik Jefferson (78). Both guys could play key roles early in their careers. Cincinnati wanted a DE to kick inside and an athlete at LB. Got both here.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 28, 2018
The 78th pick in this year’s draft, Malik Jefferson, gets a free Pizza Hut pizza once a week for a year. Why? 3.14 = Pi. Third round, 14th pick. pic.twitter.com/VWlNBFp355
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 28, 2018
Bengals select LB Malik Jefferson with the No. 78 pick pic.twitter.com/jfONdrP8BH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2018
The Bengals sure up their defense, adding edge defender Sam Hubbard and LB Malik Jefferson with picks 77 and 78 pic.twitter.com/mHouEOUWqB
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018
It’s go time brotha!! Congrats @malikjefferson
— Brandon Jones (@BlessedJones33) April 28, 2018
Congrats to Malik Jefferson on getting drafted to the Bengals.
— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 28, 2018
And condolences on the free, year-long supply of Pizza Hut. pic.twitter.com/WS5Ay6Ukbt
*Anotha one* kept in the great state of Ohio. Congrats Sam! Sup @b_price54
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 28, 2018
@Sam_Hubbard_ ➡️ @Bengals #WhoDey #BengalsDraft #NFLDraft#GoBucks #DevelopedHere pic.twitter.com/y0NV7VlSKs