The Cincinnati Bengals enter Round 4 of the 2020 NFL draft on Saturday looking at another high-value pick likely addressed while also hitting a need.
With quarterback, wideout and linebacker out of the way, the Bengals are free to address either set of trenches or merely go after best player available.
These are the top options.
James Lynch, EDGE, Baylor
The Bengals should have an interest in any defensive lineman getting a comp to underrated Washington standout Matt Ioannidis.
Lynch, 6’4″ and 289 pounds, is a scheme-versatile sort of defender who can come in at 3-tech or 5-tech and dramatically boost a rotation. That’s the sort of thing the Bengals could use as insurance inside if Ryan Glasgow once again can’t stay healthy or Renell Wren doesn’t develop well.
The Bengals were interested enough to have a pre-draft interview with him.
Ben Bartch, OL, St. John’s
The Bengals had Bartch at the Senior Bowl and most that saw him came away impressed.
Bartch caught people off guard because of his level of competition prior to the Senior Bowl. He’s a big 6’6″ and 209 pounds who is way bigger than expected after starting as a tight end.
There’s serious long-term potential with Bartch, perhaps even at left tackle, though he’ll probably start as a developmental backup.
Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Prince Tega Wanogho is about as high-upside as it gets.
The Auburn tackle was a late arrival to the sport but has superb testing numbers and size at 6’5″ and 308 pounds. Were he not so raw, he might’ve stood out better in a stacked offensive tackle class.
With the right coaching, Tega Wanogho could erupt into a starter for a long time in short order.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
Davis-Gaither is one of those guys who has often been linked to the Bengals — partly because they had a pre-draft interview with him.
A “smaller” linebacker at 6’1″ and 224 pounds, ADG is a downhill guy who will probably be dynamite at applying pressure at the next level. He’s always around the ball and could fill a subpackage role as a rookie in Cincinnati.
The Bengals made a point to meet with ADG at the combine.
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Weaver’s stock is all over the place. He’s clearly falling, yet he’s a top-65 guy at The Draft Network.
The reality is probably somewhere between extremes. Weaver isn’t going to wow against the run but he’s a fun pass-rusher who smartly gets around guys to apply pressure. That could be especially potent as part of a rotation alongside some of the already elite rushers the Bengals have in their arsenal.
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
No, corner isn’t the biggest need. But at some point, it’s hard to ignore sheer value.
Hall is an especially interesting faller at this point. He’s a top-55 prospect at The Draft Network and NFL.com even compares him to James Bradberry, a quality veteran starter.
While it will take some time, Hall has future starter written all over him, which makes him a nice fit in Cincinnati.
Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
There’s nothing guaranteed long-term about Cincinnati’s current crop of corners so just be ready for the possibility they go that way.
A top-100 player at The Draft Network, Robertson is a smaller (5’8″) corner who plays much bigger than his size, meaning he isn’t that exploitable against the run. He’s worth a look as a future starter.
