Why the Bengals will take a quarterback in the NFL Draft

No position in any sport is as singularly important quarterback. The Bengals may not be looking to make a bold move in the first round of the NFL Draft, but there is reason to believe they will be taking a quarterback at some point.

The Bengals have not done anything crazy this offseason, but they have made a few moves to address positions of need. B.W. Webb, Kerry Wynn, and John Miller were not blockbuster signings, but they were solid moves and acknowledgment that something needed to be done at those positions.

With the lackluster performance of backup quarterback Jeff Driskel after the fall of starter Andy Dalton it is clear that something needs to be done at the position. Even if the Bengals aren’t going to look to replace Dalton immediately, they should be looking to upgrade their backup quarterback position and perhaps find someone who they can develop into the eventual starter.

There were some options in free agency that makes sense. One, former Bengals backup quarterback A.J. McCarron, has already been signed by the Houston Texans.

Other options like former Rams quarterback Sean Mannion and AAF standout Luis Perez were signed by other teams, while the Bengals presumably sat on their hands.

The fact that the Bengals did not sign anyone at the position tells me that they are interested in drafting a quarterback. It may not be in the first round, but it will likely be a lot higher than where they drafted Logan Woodside in 2018. Several players like West Virginia’s Will Grier, Buffalo’s Tyree Jackson, and Boise State’s Brett Rypien could all be in play starting in the second round.

The fact that the team hired two former quarterbacks coaches to be their head coach and offensive coordinator also speaks volumes to their potential draft plans. Even if they don’t plan on replacing Dalton as soon as possible, developing a future replacement is likely in the cards.

When do you think the Bengals will draft a quarterback?