:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63306940/usa_today_12159257.0.jpg)
Bobby Hart may’ve been re-signed to a multi-year deal and Cordy Glenn is still under contract for two more years, but offensive tackle may still be on table early in the NFL Draft for the Bengals.
Today, Cincinnati met with former Alabama State offensive tackle Tytus Howard as one of their top-30 prospect meetings, per Josh Norris.
The #Bengals are meeting with Alabama State OL Tytus Howard this morning. pic.twitter.com/zvxrFIGdPq
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 26, 2019
Around the start of the Senior Bowl, Howard was NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s 40th ranked player. By the conclusion of his week in Mobile, Howard seemed to validate that praise. Playing at Alabama State, Howard’s exposure to top competition was extremely limited, but he looked like he more than belonged going up against the top seniors in this year’s draft class.
Howard earned his invite to the NFL combine weeks later and showed out there too. His 5.05 40-yard dash, 29.5” vertical jump and 103” broad jump at 6’5” 322 pounds puts him in the 90+ percentile in weight-adjusted speed and 80+ percentile in weight-adjusted explosion.
A three-year starter, Howard dominated his level of competition, which is all you can ask for when it comes to small-school prospects. He even switched from right to left tackle often, which is as rare as it is difficult.
Tytus Howard defined blindside protector throughout his senior season at Alabama State. He would actually switch between left and right tackle depending on which QB was taking snaps. This could vary week to week or even series to series. #NFLDraft
— Christian Page (@_ChristianPage) March 21, 2019
Despite this resumé, Howard still has questions in his game and it’s always difficult for FCS prospects to get drafted high. Anywhere on the second day of the draft, Howard could hear his name called. It’s possible he falls early into the fourth round, but the third round seems like the sweet spot for him.
For the Bengals, this would be the ideal spot to pick him. A linebacker figures to be picked with one of their first two picks, and offensive tackle seems to be out of the equation at the 11th overall pick. The second round would be the earliest a tackle could be taken, but Howard will likely not be their highest graded player at that juncture.
For 2019, Glenn and Hart will be the bookends on Cincinnati’s offensive line, and Hart’s contract may keep him at that spot in 2020. Behind both of them, the Bengals have essentially no depth and no future. Howard would provide both, and it’s good that the Bengals may be recognizing that.