Bengals News (2/25): All hands on deck

The first Cincinnati Bengals Media Mock Draft takes many turns up to pick No. 33
Don't set it in stone. The 337 combine prospects have yet to take a physical, been asked their favorite color or launched a bench press. Not only that, they've yet to entertain the scouts at a pro day on their campus. Not only that, the teams have yet to sign an unrestricted free agent or make a trade, which they can't do for three more weeks.

Bengals Booth Podcast: Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham answer questions from fans about the combine
It's the "Getting To Know You" edition of the Bengals Booth Podcast as the Bengals get ready to meet with Joe Burrow and other top draft prospects at this week's NFL Combine.

Source - Joe Burrow measured with 9-inch hands at NFL combine
Another talking point regarding potential No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow surfaced when his measurements were taken on Monday morning at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Report: Panthers will make a push to acquire No. 1 pick
The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to take Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft barring a godfather offer. It now appears increasingly likely that the Carolina Panthers might explore making that offer.

No, Joe Burrow's hand size won't keep him away from Bengals in 2020 NFL Draft
If LSU's Joe Burrow is really trying to wave goodbye to being selected by the Bengals at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft, he would need a lot more than small hands to force their hand.

Free Agency Primer: Should the Bengals Target Jadeveon Clowney?
The Bengals finished the 2019 season with a 2-14 record and the number one overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. It’s all but a certainty the Bengals draft Joe Burrow first overall, despite the recent remarks by the Ohio native.

Around the league

Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50: 2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings 2.0
Burrow has solid size for the position and he possesses many elite qualities. He operates out of the gun in the LSU spread attack and he is extremely accurate, efficient and instinctive. He is very smooth in his drop and he has the ability to process through his reads at a rapid pace. He throws with anticipation and he can naturally layer the ball over and under coverage. He doesn't have top shelf arm strength when driving the ball outside the numbers. He relies more on timing/touch. He doesn't flinch versus pressure when he sees something he likes down the field. If he needs to buy time, he can slide and climb the pocket with excellent feel/awareness. He has a nice burst when he leaves the pocket and he is more than a capable runner. Overall, Burrow lacks special arm strength but his combination of poise, accuracy and toughness is very appealing.

2020 NFL Draft order: Will Patriots have to replace Tom Brady?
With the NFL's 100th season officially in the books, the order for the 2020 NFL Draft is set. Now the work of figuring out who will fill those slots takes center stage, with the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon. Trades and the awarding of compensatory picks will alter the board, but in the immediate aftermath of Super Bowl LIV, here's the current draft order when the first round kicks off on April 23 in Las Vegas.

Vontaze Burfict reinstated after 12-game suspension
The suspension is Burfict's fourth during his NFL career, and the third time he's been hit with a ban for on-field incidents. In 2016, Burfict was suspended three games for multiple violations of player safety rules. In 2017, the linebacker was suspended five games for a hit to a defenseless player, which was reduced to three games upon appeal. In 2018, Burfict missed four games for a violation of the NFL's PED policy. The linebacker has also been slapped with multiple fines for illegal hits throughout his career.

Broncos S Justin Simmons expects franchise tag
"We expect to get franchise tagged," Simmons said in an interview with hosts Bruce Murray and Brady Quinn. "We're kind of sitting on the optimistic side of things, just because in the past when the Broncos have used the tag and Elway's used it, they've always worked out a long-term deal."

Roundup: Jaguars to decline DT Marcell Dareus' option
Dareus, 29, appeared in six games (Weeks 2-7) in 2019, contributing 0.5 sacks and 13 tackles. His season ended prematurely on Oct. 25 when he was placed on injured reserve after undergoing core muscle surgery. In his two and a half seasons with the team, Dareus tallied 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (22 starts).