Bengals Bytes (4/9): Some sleepers for Cincinnati in the draft

2017 Bengals positional review: Quarterbacks
In this series of breaking down the Cincinnati Bengals position let’s start at Quarterback. The quarterback position was hampered and overshadowed by the inadequacies in the offensive line. Quarterback Andy Dalton was often ridiculed by fans in one of his most disappointing seasons as a pro. The question is was he really that bad? Or was the offensive line just that terrible to give him a fighting chance?

What will Cedric Ogbuehi's role be in 2018 for the Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi is looking at his last chance to prove himself worthy of a starting position for the club this coming season. After coming into the NFL on the Physically Unable to Perform list following a college knee injury in 2015, he was used in jumbo packages for the final five games of the season. He was then given the right tackle position in 2016 and left tackle position in 2017.

Possible late round sleepers for the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are going to have their hands full at the beginning of this year’s draft with numerous needs, many coming from the offensive line group. They also need to look at addressing linebacker, cornerback, safety, and possibly tight end. While the team has talked about being in win now mode, they still have to take a look at the future and what contracts are up at the end of this season.

Bengals hosting Da'Ron Payne: film review
The Cincinnati Bengals continue their search for their possible first-round pick in this year’s draft as they are set to host Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne for a Top 30 visit on Monday according to Ian Rapoport. Payne is one of the top defensive tackles in this year’s draft and possibly the most versatile. While Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea will probably be the first off the board, Payne shows more versatile abilities and not just a run stuffer at the next level.

Former Bengals LB Marquis Flowers thinks team needed to play Carl Lawson more
The Cincinnati Bengals got a gigantic outburst of productivity in 2017 from breakout rookie Carl Lawson. Like many, former Bengals defender Marquis Flowers thinks it should have been even better if the team had played him more.

TDBH:Bengals unveil iconic helmet
Bengals founder Paul Brown has modeled his second franchise in Cincinnati on his first in Cleveland with the same conservative, button-down philosophy. From the solid orange helmets all the way down to the black cleats. But tonight when he unveils the first uniform change in Bengals history, his taste for fashion seems to be as cutting edge as his offenses. The Bengals are going with tiger stripes everywhere. The iconic Cincinnati Zoo meets the NFL legend at the 50-yard line. The Bengals are going with tiger stripes everywhere. On the sleeves. On the pants. Even the helmet.

AFC North Bytes

All four QBs from Browns 2017 preseason now gone
With Friday’s trade sending Kevin Hogan to the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Browns have completely overturned their quarterback room in less than nine months. While we don’t yet know the final member of the 2018 corps, the room will be filled with all new faces.

LeSean McCoy praises Steelers’ LB Ryan Shazier, says he’s ‘coming back real soon’
On December 4, 2017, Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a career-threatening spine injury during the team’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Shazier was taken off of the field on a stretcher after tackling Bengals’ receiver Josh Malone. The linebacker was unable to move his legs after delivering the tackle.

Random Bytes

Ranking the Most Underrated Free-Agency Moves as the 2018 NFL Draft Nears
There's been no shortage of stories written about Kirk Cousins and his fully guaranteed $84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Or the five-year, $66.5 million pact that made Andrew Norwell the highest-paid guard in league history. Or the whopper paydays wide receivers Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins received from the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.

Odell Beckham Jr. Trade Rumors: NFC Team Rejected Giants' 2 1st-Round Picks Offer
The New York Giants reportedly asked for two first-round picks in a potential trade involving wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. but were turned down. Michael Silver of NFL.com reported the news by citing a "high-ranking executive of an NFC team."

Odell Beckham Jr. Plans to Check In with Giants Monday Amid Contract Talks
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is planning to visit with the team Monday for the opening day of its offseason conditioning program. Beckham told Josina Anderson of ESPN he'll "check in, workout in the gym and meet with some people" and has a flight to leave later Sunday. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported there will also be a medical check, but that the wideout is then expected to depart for a "long while" until his contract situation is settled.