Best NFL Draft fits for the Bengals at linebacker
Like it or not, the Cincinnati Bengals are not ready to give up on their second-year linebackers Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight. The pair have been praised vociferously by the coaching staff for how well they performed despite the lack of a veteran on the field at the position. Carter replaced veteran Logan Wilson mid-season and wore the green dot, as the one player on the field who could hear the defensive call from coordinator Al Golden.
From that point on, Carter rarely left the field. Knight started 14 games and showed a knack for making splash plays. Of course, where he struggled most was doing what the Bengals drafted him to do, playing on the edge in odd fronts.
After drafting Knight in the second round, Golden talked about his length and how he would be an asset on the edge. Then after the season, Golden has talked about trying to find another player to take this role from Knight, allowing the second-year player to remain off the ball. Knight is 6-2, 235 pounds, and has 32 5/8 inch arms.
When they look at linebackers in the draft, they will be looking for someone in a similar mold. Ohio State has a couple of guys who could fit the bill, but Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles are unlikely to be realistic options with the 10th pick. Here are my top four candidates who the Bengals could target after Round 1.
Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas – 6’2” 238 – 32 3/8” arms – 21 years old Hill was insanely productive for the Longhorns with 249 tackles, 31. 5 TFLs, and an astounding 17 sacks in three seasons.