Cincy Jungle - Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Draft: News, mock drafts, workouts, rumors, prospects and detailsWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2018-09-11T11:41:50-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/167499892018-09-11T11:41:50-04:002018-09-11T11:41:50-04:00Remember when Malik Jefferson got free pizza for a year after the draft? That’s over after less than 6 months!
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<figcaption>Malik Jefferson</figcaption>
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<p>Once Jefferson settles into a new home in Cincinnati, you can bet his Bengals teammates will want to come over for pizza parties.</p> <p id="a1wFvJ">When the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> traded the No. 46 and No. 100 picks in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> to the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a>, they got in return pick Nos. 54 and 78. </p>
<p id="zWDg9Y">But pick No. 78 in this year’s draft was no ordinary pick. The 14th pick in the third round (3.14) was the recipient of free Pizza Hut pizza for a year. Why? Because 3.14 is pi!</p>
<p id="3SNFy5">Pizza Hut is a new sponsor for the NFL and this is a new promotion as part of that sponsorship.</p>
<p id="wO6hJD">To celebrate Jefferson’s addition to the Bengals as the 78th overall pick, Pizza Hut threw a pizza party in Cincinnati with Jefferson in attendance.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cool to meet the <a href="https://twitter.com/pizzahut?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pizzahut</a> team and CINCY fans today. Proud to be first Pizza Hut Pi Pick! <a href="https://t.co/thpygJ5EC0">pic.twitter.com/thpygJ5EC0</a></p>— Malik Jefferson (@malikjefferson) <a href="https://twitter.com/malikjefferson/status/990642607595425792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="Y5kWDZ">The party didn’t get off to the smoothest of starts. Well, actually, it got delayed a few times. It was initially scheduled for Saturday afternoon but obligations with the Bengals got in the way. Of course, the Texas linebacker had to attend to his Bengals duties before the party.</p>
<p id="5YZLle">It was then rescheduled for Sunday morning, which worked out well as it served as the first of many Sundays that Jefferson will be spending with the Cincinnati community.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My bad Cinci fans! I’ll be stopping by <a href="https://twitter.com/pizzahut?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pizzahut</a> to give away FREE PIZZA at 11 am tomorrow. First of many Sundays we’ll be spending together! Come see me at 4432 Montgomery Rd., Cinci. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PizzaHutHut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PizzaHutHut</a></p>— Malik Jefferson (@malikjefferson) <a href="https://twitter.com/malikjefferson/status/990389807405846528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're pumped to have you as our first ever Pi Pick. Welcome to the Pizza Hut fam! </p>— Pizza Hut (@pizzahut) <a href="https://twitter.com/pizzahut/status/990396853857341440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="YX04OZ">Jefferson is (somewhat hilariously given the circumstances) gluten free, but Pizza Hut does sell gluten free pizza (at 2,100 of its locations, according to the website), so the Cincinnati location better load up on some gluten-free dough for the Bengals rookie linebacker.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Malik Jefferson was happy to learn that he now gets free pizza for a year for being the 3.14 pick, which I did a terrible job of explaining to him. But also said he's gluten free, so, hopefully Pizza Hut has some options.</p>— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kat_Terrell/status/990060326417813509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2018</a>
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<p id="niF5XT"><strong>UPDATE: </strong>As of September 11, Jefferson is out of free pizza. Though the sponsorship was supposed to be enough pizza to last a year, Jefferson didn’t even get six months worth of pizza before it all ran out.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Enjoyed chatting with Bengals rookie <a href="https://twitter.com/malikjefferson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@malikjefferson</a> I agree with his favorite movie (even if the other teammates gave him a hard time ) and if you’re wondering what happened to all his free pizza... <a href="https://t.co/B9htmjCsl5">pic.twitter.com/B9htmjCsl5</a></p>— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) <a href="https://twitter.com/LndsPatterson/status/1039533768204267526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="BpbEHc">Hey Pizza Hut, what’s the deal?! Free pizza for a year, is free pizza for a year... Not less than six months!</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/30/17300876/bengals-rookie-malik-jefferson-recipient-free-pizza-hut-year-texas-linebackerRebecca Toback2018-07-25T09:00:03-04:002018-07-25T09:00:03-04:0013 fun facts and getting to know Bengals rookie center Billy Price
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals-Billy Price Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DW2Vikv79dBWobTsENYFysIBvJI=/0x0:4071x2714/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60476623/usa_today_10807826.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cincinnati Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Price says he can cook steak just as well as the Cincinnati-area steakhouses.</p> <p id="fcnQ0M">One of the most popular names in Cincinnati right now is that of the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ 2018 first round draft pick, <span>Billy Price</span>.</p>
<p id="xPAgSS">Price arrived in Cincinnati with big expectations as he’s set to take over the starting center role and play a pivotal role in helping the Bengals get back on track this season. Tons has been said of his <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/2/17311498/frank-pollack-biggest-praise-billy-price-what-separates-him-most-russell-bodine-bengals-center">on-the-field ability</a> and <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/7/20/17589378/bengals-center-billy-price-most-prepared-on-field-cincinnati-ohio-state-first-round-draft-pick">leadership off-the-field</a>. But how about getting to know Price as a person?</p>
<p id="bK3sIj">NFL players are regular humans, just like me and you. And though training camp is now quickly approaching and we’re about to dive head first into all the football specifics that come with it, let’s take a moment to get to know Price as the person he is!</p>
<p id="ek2biW">We spoke with the Bengals rookie center to learn about his favorite things, like that he loves steak, listens to Drake and is NOT a Cincinnati chili person.</p>
<aside id="k0FDJD"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"8 fun facts with Bengals rookie DT Andrew Brown","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/1/17414932/8-fun-facts-bengals-rookie-defensive-tackle-andrew-brown-virginia"},{"title":"11 fun facts with Bengals rookie LB Malik Jefferson","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/6/17429396/11-fun-facts-bengals-rookie-lb-malik-jefferson-texas"}]}'></div></aside><p id="4WspQ8"><strong>Let’s get to know </strong><span><strong>Billy Price</strong></span><strong>... </strong></p>
<p id="cYROjk"><strong>Favorite TV show: </strong>I don’t have one! I don’t watch a lot of TV. If anything, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/game-of-thrones"><em>Game of Thrones</em></a>. When that’s on, I’ll be all over that one.</p>
<p id="8d1AAX"><strong>Favorite movie:</strong> The <em>Transformers</em> series.</p>
<p id="hpX2qO"><strong>Favorite food: </strong>Steak or chicken wings.</p>
<p id="dbKHur"><strong>Favorite Cincinnati restaurant: </strong>Jeff Ruby’s is really good. But I like to cook so I don’t go out to eat all the time.</p>
<p id="qXlerc"><strong>Best dish to cook: </strong>I can make steak just as good as Jeff Ruby’s. It’s all about temperature control. You have to make sure the inside is done right.</p>
<p id="q0U3B1"><strong>Favorite shoe brand</strong>: Jordans and old Nikes.</p>
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<p id="SLdBCe"><strong>Favorite stadium you played in during college:</strong> AT&T Dallas stadium. We won the National Championship and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/cotton-bowl">Cotton Bowl</a> there. I like going away and seeing different places and how crowds are.</p>
<p id="lGqvxC"><strong>Favorite musician: </strong>Drake</p>
<p id="UXBR0x"><strong>Have you ever had Cincinnati chili?</strong> It messes up my stomach. I’m not a Cincinnati chili person at all.</p>
<p id="9BSvuR"><strong>What team are you most excited to face in the NFL? </strong>Pittsburgh. Just because being local all my people back home are Pittsburgh fans and there’s a bunch of OSU guys there like Cam Heyward and <span>Ryan Shazier</span>.</p>
<p id="WkrmTj"><strong>What’s your biggest fear? </strong>Heights</p>
<p id="GwkuF8"><strong>If you could have any superpower what would it be? </strong>To fly</p>
<p id="oX2BYv"><strong>Who was your favorite NFL player growing up?</strong> <span>Jerome Bettis</span>, just how he played fullback. Also, I liked watching different offensive lineman like <span>Orlando Pace</span> and LeCharles Bentley. Guys who play the game and represent everything the game is supposed to be.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/7/25/17609102/getting-to-know-off-the-field-side-bengals-center-billy-price-ohio-state-first-round-draft-pickRebecca Toback2018-06-23T09:00:02-04:002018-06-23T09:00:02-04:0011 fun facts with Bengals rookie CB Darius Phillips
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MJpDhc-ouOQrcGdMRq4U7qsBnSw=/0x138:1568x1183/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60152093/usa_today_9545550.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals rookie cornerback has never tried Cincinnati chili, but he’s excited to give it a shot.</p> <p id="yhLHTk">In the spirit of embracing athletes as people and not just guys who put up stats, we’re getting to know the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ rookies beyond just their football ability.</p>
<p id="H0M9jy">We shared some favorite things and fun facts from Bengals rookies Jessie Bates, <span>Andrew Brown</span> and <span>Malik Jefferson</span> and now it’s time to get to know fifth round pick <span>Darius Phillips</span>.</p>
<aside id="jBGMHh"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals safety Jessie Bates shares his favorite things and fun facts","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/26/17389796/bengals-safety-jessie-bates-shares-favorite-things-fun-facts"},{"title":"8 fun facts with Bengals rookie DT Andrew Brown","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/1/17414932/8-fun-facts-bengals-rookie-defensive-tackle-andrew-brown-virginia"},{"title":"11 fun facts with Bengals rookie LB Malik Jefferson","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/6/17429396/11-fun-facts-bengals-rookie-lb-malik-jefferson-texas"}]}'></div></aside><p id="E1X4F0">You can learn more about the former Western Michigan cornerback <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/21/17483314/darius-phillips-changer-bengals-defense-special-teams-western-michigan-cornerback">from a football perspective here</a> and now let’s get to know the off-the-field side of the Detroit native. </p>
<p id="6hjrlo"><strong>Favorite TV show: </strong><em>The</em><em><strong> </strong></em><em>Flash</em></p>
<div id="KiYSzh"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yj0l7iGKh8g?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="jz46qo"><strong>Favorite movie: </strong>All 3 of the <em>Planet of the Apes</em> movies. I love watching movies. I’m into action movies.</p>
<div id="UmkZwD"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9Dpy3yvEyg?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="CpOwHc"><strong>Favorite food:</strong> Crab legs </p>
<p id="tqgUon"><strong>Favorite stadium played in during college: </strong>Ohio Stadium (Ohio State University)</p>
<p id="8GBTcP"><strong>Favorite music artist: </strong>Drake</p>
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<p id="JgM6QC"><strong>Have you ever had Cincinnati chili?</strong> Not yet. I definitely will try it.</p>
<p id="N1BPwB"><strong>What team are you most excited to face in the NFL? </strong>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> whenever we do get a chance to play them because I’m from Detroit.</p>
<p id="eceTaw"><strong>Which QB are you most excited to intercept? </strong><span>Tom Brady</span></p>
<p id="GXxXXO"><strong>Favorite NFL player growing up:</strong> <span>Randy Moss</span></p>
<p id="M3QwHk"><strong>Biggest fear:</strong> My family dying</p>
<p id="pMWzqt"><strong>If you could have any super power what would it be?</strong> Being invisible</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/23/17493664/11-fun-facts-bengals-rookie-cb-darius-phillips-western-michiganRebecca Toback2018-06-21T17:19:01-04:002018-06-21T17:19:01-04:00Bengals DE Sam Hubbard signs rookie contract
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<p>The Bengals have wrapped up their draft class now that the former Buckeye is under contract. </p> <p id="XPhGKm">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have wrapped up their <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2018 NFL Draft</a> class. As Malik Jefferson <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/21/17490290/bengals-lb-malik-jefferson-signs-rookie-contract">signed his rookie contract</a> on Thursday, so too did <span>Sam Hubbard</span>, the team announced.</p>
<p id="InzRyz"><span>Hubbard</span> also posted the news on Instagram: </p>
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</div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkTNmQpnznR/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">x____________ #RookieSzn</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sam_hubbard_/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Sam Hubbard</a> (@sam_hubbard_) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-06-21T20:30:49+00:00">Jun 21, 2018 at 1:30pm PDT</time></p>
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<p id="dRWyXH">Hubbard, who weighs in at 6’5” and 270 pounds, played in 40 games (22 starts) over three seasons (2015-17) of action with the <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/">Ohio State Buckeyes</a>. He first gained a full-time starting role in 2016 when he had 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two pass break-ups.</p>
<p id="jrXtag">Last season, Hubbard recorded 42 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. For his career, Hubbard totaled 116 career tackles, including 29.5 for losses and 17 sacks, with one interception, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. </p>
<p id="DtWNhB">Hubbard was someone draft experts loved going into the draft, so much that many websites had him projected as first or second-round prospect, but the Bengals managed to land him with the 77th overall pick in Round 3, right before they took Jefferson with the 78th pick. </p>
<p id="RzlfFN">Hubbard is a Cincinnati native and alum of Archbishop Moeller High School, where he earned all-state honors as a safety and helped the Crusaders to back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013.</p>
<p id="QNjdsl">For the Bengals, Hubbard will add depth and security behind <span>Carlos Dunlap</span> and <span>Michael Johnson</span>, both of whom hit free agency in 2019. He’s a little undersized to be a full-time defensive end right away in a 4-3 defense, but with a year in an NFL weight room and on-field experience, Hubbard could be ready for a starting role in 2019.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/21/17490468/bengals-de-sam-hubbard-signs-rookie-contractJason Marcum2018-06-21T16:41:02-04:002018-06-21T16:41:02-04:00Bengals LB Malik Jefferson signs rookie contract
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals-Minicamp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dOO-Y--tX70_aK4XQ_HpDfxDlyA=/0x0:3716x2477/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60141361/usa_today_10894821.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jefferson has a world of potential the Bengals will look to harness. </p> <p id="yC6CKk">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> are close to having their entire <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2018 NFL Draft</a> class under contract now that <span>Malik Jefferson</span> has signed his rookie deal, according to his agent: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Client <a href="https://twitter.com/malikjefferson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@malikjefferson</a> signed his <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bengals</a> contract today. We are so proud of him! This is only the beginning. <a href="https://twitter.com/andysimms?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@andysimms</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YMAPAA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YMAPAA</a> <a href="https://t.co/zcwIUA6fkv">pic.twitter.com/zcwIUA6fkv</a></p>— Nicole Lynn (@AgentNicoleLynn) <a href="https://twitter.com/AgentNicoleLynn/status/1009892487111020544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2018</a>
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<p id="tbyxNU">Entering the draft, Jefferson was a highly regarded linebacker, especially after he had a very productive Scouting Combine. He finished near the top of the linebackers in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and he put up 27 reps during the bench press.</p>
<p id="wQcqu3">That freakish athleticism was on full display throughout his collegiate career. Jefferson finished his <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> career with 231 tackles (26 for a loss), 13 sacks, two forced fumbles and five passes defended. His stats really took a jump in his senior year when Texas changed to more of an attacking man-to-man defense and finished with 110 total tackles.</p>
<aside id="q0VO4u"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Film Room: Malik Jefferson brings dynamic athleticism to Bengals’ linebacker group","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/13/17329454/film-room-malik-jefferson-brings-dynamic-athleticism-to-bengals-linebacker-group"},{"title":"5 reasons to be excited about Bengals rookie LB Malik Jefferson","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/1/17412100/5-reasons-excited-bengals-rookie-linebacker-malik-jefferson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="IT9f3L">While Jefferson has the ideal build for an NFL linebacker at 6’3” and 235 pounds, he lacks the instincts that would have gotten him drafted higher. He struggles to diagnose plays and reach, but when he does correctly, his straight-line burst is as good as any linebacker in this draft class. </p>
<p id="O91nKK">If Jefferson can begin harnessing his talents and learn how to read offenses better, he can become a force in the Bengals’ defense.</p>
<p id="vQkHWK">The good thing is Jefferson won’t be forced into action right away as long as <span>Preston Brown</span>, <span>Nick Vigil</span>, <span>Vincent Rey</span> and <span>Jordan Evans</span> are healthy, not to mention <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> will be back in Week 5 after serving his four-game suspension.</p>
<p id="0jqcO4">Of the Bengals’ 11 draft picks, just Ohio State defensive end <span>Sam Hubbard</span> remains unsigned. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/21/17490290/bengals-lb-malik-jefferson-signs-rookie-contractJason Marcum2018-06-21T07:00:01-04:002018-06-21T07:00:01-04:00Darius Phillips looking to be a game-changer for Bengals on defense and special teams
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals-Minicamp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gYT_ulN5KEW-URcsDlMNx5Ildcc=/0x0:4320x2880/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60124513/usa_today_10894876.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The fifth-round rookie cornerback spoke exclusively to Cincy Jungle about his goals for the year, playmaking ability and more.</p> <p id="YTpuut">If you watched any Western Michigan football games for the past few years, you may have noticed a cornerback who always seemed to have his hands on the ball. That would be <span>Darius Phillips,</span> who the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> selected in the fifth round of this year’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. The Bengals drafted <span>Phillips</span> after he cemented his name into a variety of record books at the NCAA level. Now, the Detroit native is ready to bring his playmaking ability to the Bengals.</p>
<p id="sQpnYQ">“I would say I’d like to come out and be one of the best rookies this year and go out and try to showcase my talents,” Phillips said of his rookie year goals in an exclusive interview with Cincy Jungle.</p>
<p id="SlWFP1">When showcasing his talents in college, Phillips ranked second in punt return yards and yards per punt return in the MAC in each of the last two years and ranked first in kickoff return yards in the MAC in 2014 and 2016. He holds the record for most kickoff return yards in MAC history and has the most kickoff return touchdowns in MAC history. On top of all that, he ranked in the top seven for interceptions in the MAC in each of the last three years. He also ranks first in interceptions returned for touchdowns in MAC history and that’s not all. The list of his records and accomplishments is extensive.</p>
<aside id="OOgO8H"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bengals DT Andrew Brown honoring his late mother by following his NFL dream","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/30/17405058/bengals-dt-andrew-brown-honoring-late-mother-following-nfl-dream-virginia"},{"title":"Exclusive: Rookie LB Malik Jefferson is grateful and ready for the Bengals","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/15/17352112/5-star-recruit-third-round-draft-pick-malik-jefferson-ready-for-bengals-cincinnati"}]}'></div></aside><p id="jEwCR4">Phillips scored 14 touchdowns during his college career. That type of number would be impressive for an offensive player, but for a defensive player it’s somewhat mind blowing. With that said, it won’t be too surprising to find out that Phillips actually started out at WMU as a wide receiver in 2014. That year, he had 32 catches for 479 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He also tacked on a kick return touchdown in his freshman year.</p>
<p id="5To4cd">“I think switching from wide receiver to cornerback helped me a lot with my ability to adjust to the ball and ball skills and the things I can do once I get the balls in my hand,” he said. “Whether it’s an interception or on special teams, it’s definitely helped with my ball skills.”</p>
<p id="3C3E1Z">Phillips credits his vision and trust for his special teams success, which included 3,193 kick return yards (an average of 24.6 yards per return), five kick return touchdowns, 327 punt return yards (an average of 10.2 yard per return) and 1 punt return touchdown in four years of college.</p>
<p id="84cNXh">When Phillips got the call that he was drafted by the Bengals he was at his house with family and friends, all watching on TV. But when the call came from <span>Marvin Lewis</span>, he was actually in the basement of his house without his family, so they found out just by watching it on TV.</p>
<p id="nbp4PD">“We were all excited, there was a lot of screaming and shouting and hugging,” Phillips said. “It just felt unreal. It was a moment I had been waiting for all my life. It was just exciting and I’m blessed to have the opportunity.”</p>
<p id="4rdcB4">Phillips met with the Bengals informally at the combine and a special teams coach worked him out at his pro day, too. That aside, he didn’t have any formal meetings with the team prior to the draft, so it was a surprise when the Bengals called to select him. On top of that, rookie minicamp was Phillips’ first time visiting Cincinnati.</p>
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<p id="fxOSPR">If you’ve never seen Phillips play, which is likely the case for many Bengals fans who are anxious to see him suit up in stripes, he explained his style of play in fairly simple terms.</p>
<p id="kwAfXK">“Hardworking on every play. A game-changer who can come in and make a play whether on defense or special teams. Special teams is really what I’ve been able to do to change a game with the ball in my hand,” he said. “Whenever I touch the ball I take pride in trying to score and put the offense in a great position to score.”</p>
<p id="SvMU1B">A game-changer on special teams is something that <span>Adam Jones</span> was for the Bengals for years. But, the team decided not to pick up the option on his contract this offseason and Jones is currently a free agent. When the team drafted Phillips along with Illinois State cornerback Davontae Harris this year, it pretty much signaled the official end of Jones’ time in Cincinnati. Now, the team is hoping that <span>William Jackson III</span> steps into not only a starting role, but becomes a star player, which he did toward the end of 2017 when Jones was injured. And as for the special teams ability that Jones brought to Cincinnati, that should be Phillips’ role moving forward.</p>
<p id="1rKn4d">“Bengals fans are getting a hard worker,” Phillips said. “A player who is going to give it his all and change the game in every aspect that I can.”</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/21/17483314/darius-phillips-changer-bengals-defense-special-teams-western-michigan-cornerbackRebecca Toback2018-06-18T09:00:02-04:002018-06-18T09:00:02-04:00Billy Price and Sam Hubbard are the 11th pair of college teammates drafted by the Bengals since 2000
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<img alt="Goodyear Cotton Bowl - USC v Ohio State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JnpyXsNlLssh9h39LzdSm-Tytjc=/0x0:4246x2831/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60079961/899638722.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Billy Price and Sam Hubbard aren’t the first pair of college teammates drafted by the Bengals, but are they the best? We compare the OSU duo to the other teammates the Bengals have drafted since 2000.</p> <p id="fPF0xR">When the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> selected <span>Billy Price</span> and <span>Sam Hubbard</span> from the Ohio State University with their first and third round picks in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2018 NFL Draft</a>, it may have seemed kind of odd. But in reality, it’s actually quite common for the Bengals to double dip and select teammates from the same college in the same draft. In fact, the Bengals have done it 11 times since the turn of the century.</p>
<p id="WSDjWW">Heading into the 2018 season, <span>Price</span> looks like a near lock to be the Bengals starting center, assuming he fully recovers from a pectoral injury he suffered during the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL combine</a>. Price won the 2018 Rimington Trophy as college football’s top center, and hopefully will be able to provide the Bengals with something they have lacked for many year - a quality, long-term solution at center. <span>Hubbard</span> is likely slated for a rotational backup role behind <span>Carlos Dunlap</span>, <span>Michael Johnson</span>, <span>Jordan Willis</span>, and <span>Carl Lawson</span> as an edge defender. But he could push for starting duties beyond 2018, depending on what happens with the expiring contracts of both Dunlap and <span>Johnson</span>.</p>
<p id="s53lPn">So how do Price and Hubbard compare with the other pairs of teammates drafted by the Bengals since the turn of the century?</p>
<h3 id="lf3SSh">2017: <span>Joe Mixon</span> (2nd round) and <span>Jordan Evans</span> (6th round), Oklahoma</h3>
<p id="VC0TMV">It’s probably a bit too early to prognosticate the future careers of the Bengals’ 2017 draftees from the University of Oklahoma, but 2017 gave some glimmers of hope. <span>Evans</span> unexpectedly emerged with five starts and 33 tackles in his rookie season. <span>Mixon</span> flashed a playmaker, using his natural running ability to easily turn four yard losses into one yard gains. But with such an awful season for the Bengals offensive line, it’s difficult to evaluate Mixon on his numbers, with a pedestrian 3.5 yards per carry average, and only 626 rushing yards, which was good enough to lead the Bengals’ lacking run game.</p>
<h3 id="UEkDo4">2014: <span>Jeremy Hill</span> (2nd round) and <span>James Wright</span> (7th round), LSU</h3>
<p id="rkVXLI">By the end of his rookie season, Jeremy Hill looked like a future stud at running back, leading the NFL in rushing yards over the second half of the 2014 season. In his final nine games of that year, and throwing in a pair of games against the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> in 2016, Hill rushed for 1,208 yards and 8 touchdowns with a very impressive 5.9 average over those 11 games. In the other 43 games of his NFL career, he was a very subpar runner, totaling 1,665 yards on a 3.3 average. Outside of those 11 great games, he is mostly remembered by Bengals fans for the 75 percent of games where he struggled, and for a lost fumble in the January 2016 Wild Card playoff game against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, which led to a string of events, ultimately costing the Bengals the playoff victory.</p>
<p id="Vuabwc"><span>Wright</span> was drafted as much to be a special teams player as to be a wide receiver. In 2014 and 2016 he appeared in 24 games and totalled just under 200 receiving yards. He spent 2015 on IR with the Bengals, and spent 2017 on IR with the Browns. He signed with the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> following the 2017 season.</p>
<h3 id="J6jDxB">2011: <span>A.J. Green</span> (1st round) and <span>Clint Boling</span> (4th round), Georgia</h3>
<p id="Kpfxpt"><span>Green</span> has been nothing short of excellent since being selected by the Bengals. He has accumulated 556 receptions, over 8,200 yards, and 57 touchdowns over seven seasons. He’s also been selected to seven <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a>s in those seven seasons. </p>
<p id="FfQOlD">Boling has become a solid addition to the Bengals offensive line, starting at left guard over the past six years. He even helped out at left tackle late in 2018 with the Bengals desperate to find anybody who could be less horrible than <span>Cedric Ogbuehi</span> at that spot.</p>
<h3 id="MCx7kJ">2010: <span>Jordan Shipley</span> (3rd round) and <span>Roddrick Muckelroy</span> (4th round), Texas</h3>
<p id="dei5Rv">Shipley had quite a productive rookie season for the Bengals hauling in 52 receptions and 600 yards. But his career was quickly derailed by an injury early in his second season. He only played in seven games after the injury. Muckelroy played in 21 games in 2010 and 2012, spending 2011 on IR. He collected a handful of tackles for the Bengals and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> in those two seasons, starting two games for the Redskins.</p>
<h3 id="4qNDU1">2007: <span>Dan Santucci</span> (7th round) and <span>Chinedum Ndukwe</span> (7th round), Notre Dame</h3>
<p id="SHnknl">In the 2007 NFL Draft, it was fourth round pick <span>Marvin Jones</span> who was supposed to emerge from the draft as the Bengals’ future starting safety. Instead, it was seventh round pick Ndukwe who grabbed that role. Williams only lasted two years in Cincinnati, while Ndukwe played twice as many years for the Bengals, collecting 31 starts, 249 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 6 interceptions for them. Santucci was a backup center for the Bengals who appeared in a pair of games in 2007.</p>
<h3 id="HdhyTT">2006: <span>Andrew Whitworth</span> (2nd round) and <span>Bennie Brazell</span> (7th round), LSU</h3>
<p id="BPt3Z5">If you rate this pair of drafted teammates as one of the best drafted by the Bengals, it’s likely 100 percent based on Whitworth’s contribution and zero percent based on what Brazell brings to the pairing. Whitworth is entering his 13th season as a starting NFL offensive lineman. </p>
<p id="GRBCzt">Brazell was a track star at LSU whom the Bengals took a late round flier on to see if he could be converted into an NFL wide receiver to make use of his Olympic speed. The unlikely experiment failed, and Brazell did not make the Bengals’ roster.</p>
<h3 id="x5zTNq">2005: <span>David Pollack</span> (1st round) and <span>Odell Thurman</span> (2nd round), Georgia</h3>
<p id="83jHFR">Pollack and Thurman are the only pair of teammates who were selected with the first two picks in this list. The two of them represent a huge pile of “what if” for the Bengals defense. Instead of long, productive careers changing the fortunes of the Bengals defense in the 2000’s, both of them only played 16 games in the NFL. </p>
<p id="QYEwHe">After a rookie season with 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles, Pollack injured his neck in Week 2 of the 2006 season and his NFL career was over. Thurman was a dynamic playmaker during the 2005 season recording 98 tackles, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks. But struggles with substance abuse resulted in multiple suspensions and a career that was limited to that 2005 season.</p>
<h3 id="viQnpF">2005: <span>Eric Ghiaciuc</span> (4th round) and <span>Adam Kieft</span> (5th round), Central Michigan</h3>
<p id="Hwfm3j">Before there was <span>Russell Bodine</span>, there was Eric Ghiaciuc, a fellow fourth round pick at the center position who spent several years as the Bengals’ starter, regularly abused by opposing defensive linemen. And that’s the good part of this 2005 pair of CMU draftees. Kieft never played in an NFL game.</p>
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<img alt="Cincinnati Bengals v Seattle Seahawks" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t5y_rcElgT5zOCxePsyaXbS5Xxk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11512743/76968540.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images</cite>
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<h3 id="Xza4dO">2001: <span>Chad Johnson</span> (2nd round) and <span>T.J. Houshmandzadeh</span> (7th round), Oregon State</h3>
<p id="vvuWK4"><span>Johnson</span> and Houshmandzadeh make a strong case as the most prolific pair of drafted teammates on this list. <span>Johnson</span> was an elite receiver throughout his decade long career, collecting a pair of first team All Pro selections to go with his 766 career receptions, and more than 11,000 career receiving yards. Houshmandzadeh also crafted a long career for himself in the NFL, earning a Pro Bowl trip to go along with his 627 career receptions, and more than 7,000 yards.</p>
<h3 id="U2ZtN1">2000: Peter Warrick (1st round) and Ron Dugans (3rd round), Florida State</h3>
<p id="P7m9nf">Usually a receiver drafted in the first round is really fast, really big, or has great hands. And sometimes they have all three. But it’s not common to see a team draft a wide receiver in the first round who does not fulfill any of these attributes. That’s exactly what the Bengals did in the 2000 draft. Warrick was a decent second or third receiver for the Bengals for the five years he played for them, but he never materialized into a player worth a top five pick in the NFL Draft.</p>
<p id="Z0J3V8">Dougans played three years in the NFL, and combined with Warrick for just less than 3,800 career receiving yards. For what it’s worth, that combined total would be good enough for the seventh most receiving yards for a single receiver from the 2000 draft. And if you are curious as to how well the Bengals thought of their picks of Warrick and Dougans, look no further than the 2001 NFL draft when they drafted two more wide receivers.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/18/17447356/billy-price-sam-hubbard-11th-pair-of-college-teammates-drafted-by-bengals-since-2000DeusVult2018-06-06T09:00:02-04:002018-06-06T09:00:02-04:00Assessing the value the Bengals got in Ole Miss OL Rod Taylor
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Mississippi at Kentucky" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DIGW4oGG2cELj-bNNkmQk45Y4KU=/0x166:2202x1634/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59969321/usa_today_10399023.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals took a late-round flyer on Rod Taylor in hopes he could become a reliable swing lineman in the pros. </p> <p id="0usPQe">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> lost their top swing offensive lineman in <span>Andre Smith</span> this offseason.</p>
<p id="zRFPT5">Due to various injuries across the offensive line in 2017, <span>Smith</span> wound up playing both tackle spots after spending a good portion of training camp and the preseason at offensive guard. now that he’s in Arizona, the Bengals hope to find another swing lineman capable of playing all across the offensive line in 2018.</p>
<p id="1BGFFr">That could be where Rod Taylor comes into play. </p>
<p id="bvnXvg">Taylor has bounced around the offensive line in his college career with the Ole Miss Rebels. He started every game at right tackle this past season after being Ole Miss’ left tackle in 2016. He started at right guard in his first two seasons, and some think he’ll be a guard in the NFL.</p>
<aside id="qTH43h"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Andy Dalton among least gamescript-dependent quarterbacks in NFL","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/4/17420530/andy-dalton-among-least-gamescript-dependent-quarterbacks-in-the-nfl"},{"title":"Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap not worried about contract year, “film speaks for itself”","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/4/17424982/bengals-de-carlos-dunlap-not-worried-contract-year-film-speaks-itself"}]}'></div></aside><p id="ooN1wM">Taylor ended up being the only other lineman drafted other than Ohio State center Billy Price, despite the offensive line in dire need of more quality lineman. You have to think there’s a decent shot Taylor makes the roster, especially since he’s experienced all over the line, which makes him more attractive as that seventh/eighth lineman.</p>
<p id="sZcKPj">But while Taylor played all throughout the line, he was never effective enough to think he’ll make it in the NFL as anything more than an emergency backup. </p>
<p id="TfPqZV">Going into the draft, Taylor was widely projected as a Round 7/undrafted prospect. </p>
<p id="BXOVbc"><a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/insider/story/_/id/23261827/todd-mcshay-final-rankings-top-300-prospects-2018-nfl-draft">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> did not have Taylor among his top 300 prospects coming into the draft. Neither did <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/insider/story/_/id/23297186/2018-nfl-draft-big-board-prospect-position-rankings-mel-kiper-top-300-picks-players">Mel Kiper</a>, who ranked Taylor as the 26th-best offensive guard. <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports</a> had him ranked 351st.</p>
<p id="5hEzHh"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Iu5_2IyI0ZkA7lnFYh-otJYW-zpXZb3Gj1LrQg0NIA/edit#gid=0">The Cold Omaha Consensus Big Board</a>, which factors in every major draft ranking, did not have Taylor ranked among their top 300 prospects. </p>
<p id="lXUbe8">It’s clear Taylor was an afterthought heading into the draft, but that’s primarily because he started at offensive tackle and struggled there over his final two seasons. We often see college tackles make successful transitions to guards in the pros, so perhaps this is where Taylor can provide value to the Bengals. </p>
<p id="20bPAi">And while Taylor may not be someone you want starting at tackle, his experience there will make him, at worst, an emergency option if other guys get hurt. If he can make a positive impact at guard, that added versatility could help propel him onto the 53-man roster in 2018. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/6/6/17425816/assessing-the-value-the-bengals-got-in-ole-miss-ol-rod-taylorJason Marcum