Bengals Bytes (4/8): Can Cincinnati wait to draft an offensive lineman?

Bengals’ interest in Patrick Morris shows they’ll look into everything in effort to improve line | Bengals Wir
Iowa’s James Daniels might be the best center this year, but the Bengals are known for taking the best player available in the NFL Draft. For that reason, they might wait until late in the Draft to address their big hole in the middle.

The Bengals can wait till second round to draft offensive line
The Cincinnati Bengals have eleven picks going into the 2018 NFL Draft and there’s no position that needs more help than the offensive line. With the trading for left tackle Cordy Glenn, the Bengals still have needs at center, at least one guard, and right tackle. Luckily for them, this year’s draft is loaded with offensive line players, especially on the interior.

How the Bengals can win the fans over
Let’s face it; Cincinnati is a baseball town. The Cincinnati Reds own the fanbase and there is a large portion of this town that could care less if the Bengals were to relocate in a couple of years. Some probably would have preferred if they relocated before the infamous Paul Brown Stadium – Hamilton county deal.

Houshmandzadeh re-routing Ross
The quick take is Ross can be “unstoppable,” if he becomes as technically complete as Houshmandzadeh and his old running mate from the oughts, Chad Johnson. Technique, or lack of it, burns Houshmandzadeh. He can count on his hands the number of guys in the league that honest-to-God stick their foot in the ground at the top of a route like he and Ocho Cinco did and allowed them to separate from the turn of the century. He furiously knows he can teach it while he wonders why few can/do.

Hobson's Choice: needs and wants
I’m no pro scout, but you do have a coach’s name on the couch, matching new offensive line coach Frank Pollack. I would tend to agree with you and we’re just using common sense. According to the Scouts, Inc., board on ESPN.com, those four guys are listed in the top 16 (Edmunds five, Smith 10, James 12, Davenport 16), so if any of them where there that boards suggests they’d probably be the highest-rated guy. Then go get the center and/or tackle later.

TDBH: Bobbie Williams’ extension begins investment in O-line
Today’s three-year extension for massive right guard Bobbie Williams, who can bench press 500 pounds, reflects that the Bengals realize this is their strongest offensive line since Pro Bowlers Anthony Munoz and Max Montoya anchored the Super Bowl group of 18 years ago. The Bengals are coming off winning the AFC North in a season quarterback Carson Palmer breaks the franchise passing record and running back Rudi Johnson sets the club’s single-season rushing record while the offensive line allows the fewest sacks in Bengals history. One NFL source that follows offense linemen and the deals they get for living raves this week, "From what people are telling me, this guy is one of the most underrated players in the league. Just a mauler and more athletic than you think.

TDBH: Lewis outlines lock-out draft: ‘We have to make sure we get great players’
With the lock out locking down free agency, the Bengals are facing a seminal draft for the next decade later this month without veterans available to fill the gaping needs at quarterback and wide receiver that have been filled during the last several years by the franchise record-setting Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. Today, against the backdrop of a federal judge gently suggesting the players and owners head back to the bargaining table, head coach Marvin Lewis invokes "old fashion football" and sees the Bengals filling their holes primarily with drafted rookies who are going to have to contribute right away.

AFC North Bytes

Ravens Rumors: Eric Decker Visiting with Team After Robert Griffin III Signing

Veteran wide receiver Eric Decker will visit the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Decker's visit comes one day after the Ravens inked quarterback Robert Griffin III to a one-year deal. The 31-year-old Decker spent 2017 with the Tennessee Titans on the heels of a three-year stint with the New York Jets. Last season, he finished with 54 receptions for 563 yards and one touchdown.

Kevin Hogan Traded to Redskins; Browns Upgrade 6th-Round 2018 NFL Draft Pick
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Hogan in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. The team released him prior to the start of the season, and he signed with Cleveland's practice squad. The Stanford product appeared in eight games for the Browns over the past two seasons, making his only career start last year in a Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans.

Random Bytes

Thomas Davis Apologizes After Being Suspended 4 Games for Failed PED Test
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis announced Friday that the NFL has suspended him four games following a positive test for a banned substance. "I was informed that I tested positive for a banned substance," Davis said in a heartfelt message on Twitter. "I was completely caught off guard by this. I've never in any way done anything to try to intentionally cheat the game. It's one of those situations where the NFL rules are clear. They state that you are responsible as a player for what you put in your body.

Johnny Manziel Throws for 79 Yards, 1 TD in Loss in Spring League Debut
Johnny Manziel came out on the losing end in his Spring League debut on Saturday at Kelly Reeves Stadium in Austin, Texas. Manziel and the South team fell 11-7 to the North team. The North team sacked Manziel with 58 seconds remaining in the game to force a turnover on downs, which allowed the North to run out the rest of the clock and seal the victory.

Ranking the 2018 NFL Draft's Biggest Boom-or-Bust Prospects
The draft is the ultimate gamble for NFL teams. There's no such thing as a sure bet when it comes to bringing in first-year players who have never played a snap in the pros. Sure, some bets are safer than others. There are some high-floor players like Penn State tailback Saquon Barkley and Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick who most in the draft community expect to make a relatively seamless transition to the NFL. There's a reason both of those players will be selected in the top 10.