Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. With the Bengals missing the playoffs last season and greatly underachieving, general manager Mike Brown knew a massive talent infusion was required to get this team back on track. Cincinnati had quite the haul in the 2018 draft selecting eleven players to the fold. ADF was pleasantly surprised with the amount of high potential additions secured when looking back at this Bengals class, let’s review… 

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 21 (21)

Billy Price (OL)

As clear as day, it was imperative that the Bengals addressed their glaring issues on the offensive line at some point in this draft. Last season showed great inability to open holes in the run game while not being able to protect Andy Dalton which in turn provided some of his worst numbers as a pro. On target to fix their problems early, the Bengals selected the determined, hardnosed Center from “The Ohio State”. Price is a very interesting prospect that has gotten gleaming reviews for his ability and size making him an almost sure-fire player at the next level.

Price is a giant of a man that stands 6’4” tall, just over 300 pounds and has a motor that doesn’t quit. When ADF reviews the tape on his blocking skill and awareness, it’s quite apparent that Price is just a great football player that will do admirably in the NFL. Like any prospect that comers into the league, some refining of skills needs to be done, but in Billy Price’s case, those refinements should be very minimal as he could start day one in training camp. Adding Price to lead the charge in the middle with Cordy Glenn and Jake Fisher manning the outsides, this line looks vastly improved on paper. The potential to be a dominate force is very real.      

ADF Prediction: High potential, Pro Bowl potential.

Round 2 – Pick 22 (54)

Jessie Bates (DB)

While the Bengals defense was better than it appeared last season, adding key depth players with high upside has been important to keep this team moving in the right direction. This selection in round two screams depth player as a rookie with the potential to snag a starting role in the next two to three years. Bates has great size and speed to man the safety position with good ability in both man and zone coverages. Jessie Bates impressed at the combine with his 3-cone drill showing speed and bend cracking under the 7 second mark highlighting his agile skill-set. While Bates is known as quite the athlete, don’t let that fool you, he is definitely a tackling machine that isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. The overall ability is very encouraging moving forward and Bates could find his way to playing rather quickly once a few highlight real plays are made in camp and the preseason. 

ADF Prediction: Good potential.

Round 3 – Pick 13 (77)

Sam Hubband (DE)

Staying with the Ohio connection in round three, the Bengals selected one of the hardest working players from the Buckeyes. Hubband has fantastic size that all NFL teams would be in search for. While some scouts question his overall ability and speed, ADF is convinced that it won’t be an issue in the NFL. Sam ran a nice 4.89 40 at his pro-day showing good mobility in the cone drill at the combine. Even if the evaluations are true, and Hubband can’t keep up with the pro competition, there is no question his work ethic will be on point and he’ll grind out plays. Much like the Bengals selection in the second round (Jessie Bates), this pick has ‘future starter’ written all over it. Cincinnati will be going through potential transition next season as many of their top defensive linemen will be up for contract and there’s little question they’re hoping Hubband can fill the void.  

ADF Prediction: Good player, future starter.

Round 3 – Pick 14 (78)

Malik Jefferson (LB)

Continuing on the defensive side and keeping pace with ADF’s team evaluation of the potential replacement rebuild one year early, the Bengals select former Longhorns line backer in Malik Jefferson. Possessing good intangibles Malik did very well in the testing phase of the draft process showing he’s as advertised. Finding his stride in his final season at Texas proved his ability was there to be unleashed, but finding the appropriate scheme and matchups should go a long way in determining what type of player he can become. Busting 110 tackles in the 2017 season also saw 10 of those hit for loss in the backfield, rather impressive penetration on those plays. While Jackson did garner 13 sacks in his college career, ADF believes he could be a specialist in the sack department in the NFL coming off the edge. Jefferson should begin his NFL career on the bench in a rotational role, but could turn heads once he gets his feet wet.      

ADF Prediction: Moderate/low potential.

Round 4 – Pick 12 (112)

Mark Walton (RB)

Every time we put on his tape, ADF finds more and more things we like about Mark Walton. His slide in the draft was attributed to the fact that his 2017 season was lost to an ankle injury as he was beginning to make waves and putting on a show. Either way, Walton is the real deal and should be able to translate his skills in the NFL. While Mark doesn’t possess the top end speed you would look for in a runner, he is deceptively fast. Teaming with that, Walton has A+ patience and vision allowing him to find the hole and break free while allowing the plays to develop. Walton has a ridiculous side-step that can bail him out of trouble or juke defenders with ease. Even for a smaller type of running back, Walton isn’t afraid to drop his shoulder at the first point of contact challenging defenders.  If that wasn’t enough, Walton has great hands that can be taken advantage of in the pass game as he’ll make loads of plays in open space.

If there are knocks on his game it would show the lack of top notch breakaway speed you would like to see from a player of his size. While Mark can easily make teams pay once he breaks the first set of defenders, it’s rare to see him outrun the safety for the touchdown. There is also the potential for Walton to get dinged up in the NFL as the physicality is vastly different then the college game. With all that said, ADF is buying all the stock on Walton becoming a fantastic NFL product and change of pace back to Joe Mixon, forming a tandem that will be very difficult to stop. Lots to like from Mark Walton!      

ADF Prediction: High potential, great upside.

Round 5 – Pick 14 (151)

Davontae Harris (DB)

If you’ve read our other installments of team draft breakdowns, you would notice the high number of talented defensive backs that will come out of this draft class, this one is no exception. Harris possesses all the skills to eventually take a starting position in this league provided he cleans up a few of his shortcomings. His size, speed, and strength work to his advantage when pressing up receivers leaving them little room to maneuver with their first step off the line. While some scouts question his anticipation and ball skills, we believe they are above average as seen from the many pass breakups he produced at Illinois State. Harris may trust his speed a little too much trying to bait quarterbacks leaving him exposed at times, but this is very coachable. 

Round 5 – Pick 21 (158)

Andrew Brown (DT)

In reviewing this draft class moving down these selections, its becomes more clear and echoes our statements from above to suggest the Bengals are preparing for the future while giving them a roster depth advantage for this upcoming season. Yet another defensive player that could eventually take a starting role is Andrew Brown out of Virginia. While Brown isn’t a top flight prospect he will become a very good football player solidifying the middle of the defensive line. Brown is very strong at the point of attack and can shed blockers continually with his very high motor. Starting his career in sub packages and rotational situations will give him the experience to challenge for a starting role in 2019. 

Round 5 – Pick 33 (170)

Darius Phillips (DB)

Adding more depth to the defensive backend the Bengals select what scouts view as a nickel cover-corner in Darius Phillips. Possessing above average speed to his size, ADF would’ve liked to have seen a better 40 time produced. Phillips did produce solid numbers in his college career posting 12 interceptions and 35 pass breakups in his three years as a starter. The added appeal here from the Bengals brain trust is obvious as they potentially view Phillips as their return specialist on both kick and punt returns. Having produced six returns total for touchdowns in three years is rather impressive and he should challenge from day one in that regard.

Round 7 – Pick 31 (249)

Logan Woodside (QB)

With AJ McCarron leaving Cincinnati early in the offseason, there is a potential roster spot for the grabs and the Bengals are taking a shot with Logan Woodside. There are items to like about his game which include his high completion percentage, high level or touchdowns to low rate of interceptions, and production in passing yards in his time in Toledo. Woodside however will have to clutch and grab to secure a roster spot being on the shorter side barley above the six foot mark. Woodside will be just a camp arm if he doesn’t impress early on.     

Round 7 – Pick 34 (252)

Rod Taylor (OL)

Adding depth to an offensive line in much need of assistance is the thought with this selection late in the seventh round. Taylor has great size but my lack the overall football savvy to justify a starting role. Rod Taylor does have potential to make the Bengals roster but could be a prime candidate for the practice squad. 

Round 7 – Pick 35 (253)

Auden Tate (WR)

The book on Tate is very clear; he’s as tall as a building but slow as an Ox. Standing at 6’5” tall there is good potential for Tate to be used only in the redzone as a mismatch player trying to exploit his height and great catch radius. Players like Auden Tate have found a way to stay relevant by making plays, and ADF fully expects to see majority of his work catching jump balls for touchdowns in camp.  

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Chris Worley, LB, Ohio State

Jordan Franks, TE, Central Florida

Zach Green, RB, Arizona

Gaelin Elmore, DL, East Carolina

Trayvon Henderson, DB, Hawaii

Adonis Jennings, WR, Temple

Junior Joseph, LB, Connecticut

Ray Lawry, RB, Old Dominion

Ja'Von Rolland-Jones, DL, Arkansas State

Quinton Flowers, QB, South Florida