The Cincinnati Bengals have forged ahead during a unique 2020 NFL draft process by holding pre-draft meetings with several major defensive names.
Antoine Winfield Jr. headlines those names, though Justin Madubuike and Chris Orr shouldn’t go unnoticed. Justin Melo of Draft Wire revealed all three meets for the Bengals.
Winfield, a safety from Minnesota, has the notable name and big play to back it up. He’s graded as a starter within the first two seasons by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, which probably has him as a candidate for the No. 33 pick to pair with Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates.
Madubuike isn’t as recognizable of a name but he might just make it into the first round. So it seems to go for a potential one-gap tackle who can disrupt or anchor against the run.
As for Orr, he’s more of a value buy in the mid-rounds or later, but as depth and a guy who can put pressure on the quarterback, it’s hard to complain about the interest.
As expected, the Bengals have their eyes all over defenders in this draft class even after retooling the unit with several new starters in free agency. While Joe Burrow is No. 1, the three names here should get marked down as ones to remember.
Two of three register in interesting slots on our big board:
