Analyzing the Bengals closing their draft with DE Wyatt Hubert

Every so often, the Cincinnati Bengals find a gem in the seventh round. Names such as T.J. Houshmanzedah, Jonathan Fanene, and Clinton McDonald became quality NFL contributors. More recently, Clayton Fejedelem and Auden Tate have stuck around and outplayed their draft status as well.

Cincinnati is hoping that former Kansas State defensive end Wyatt Hubert can become that next hit in the draft’s final round.

What Hubert brings to the Bengals

Backfield production and flexibility are the two highlights for Hubert’s profile. At 6-3 257, he was clocked in at 7.03 for the three-cone drill. That agility allowed him to rack up over 50 combined tackles for loss and sacks in just 29 career games for Kansas State. In his third season in 2020, Hubert was graded out with Pro Football Focus’ fifth-highest pass rush grade (90.8).

Hubert, a team captain for last season, plays with noticeable hustle and effort, which is a common theme for the defensive linemen the Bengals have acquired this offseason.

At the very least, Hubert will give the Bengals depth at defensive end throughout the offseason and challenge Amani Bledsoe and fourth-round pick Cameron Sample for reps in training camp and the preseason.

Why the Bengals chose Hubert

The interest was there going all the way back to the Senior Bowl. Hubert is the fourth draft pick by the Bengals to have participated in Mobile, Alabama this past January. The Bengals met with Hubert at Kansas State’s pro day a month later as well.

In the seventh round, Hubert simply could’ve been their best player available, but it’s no coincidence that the Bengals committed 40% of their draft to the defensive line. The position group was a total liability last season, and Hubert gives 15(!) players entering college free agency to work with.

There needed to be complete turnover in personnel, and Hubert is a part of that turnover.