Pete Prisco, the CBS Sports analyst, graded the Bengals an A. So did Pro Football Focus and The Sporting News. Even ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gave it a B-plus rating. Here are a few remarks and quotes from what appears to be a popular draft.
FIRST ROUND: Clemson leads Myles Murphy: Murphy’s presence at No. 28 surprised the draft room. Duke Tobin’s team held such high regard for him that they assumed the last time they would see him at the Paycor Stadium offices was when they said him farewell following his visit a few weeks prior. This guy would not fall out of the top ten, right?
“I had a Who Dey proclamation and a Thank God proclamation,” Duffner claims.
Since COVID, Duffner has become one of the most active Zoomers in the NFL when it comes to scouting edgers. Despite this, Murphy became the first defensive lineman picked by the Bengals in the first round since 2001, when Duffner was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator, and there is nZooo Duffnerm. Murphy paid them a visit and confirmed what they already knew. Quality all the way.
But here’s what Duffner witnessed on video. A player who meets defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s versatility requirements. Edges must occasionally miraculously transform into backers.
“The only feature I look for is recoverability,” Duffner explains. “He can recover and get back into the game. He has an excellent balance of agility, length, and speed.
Senior personnel executive Trey Brown, who travels through every area and free agency with director of college scouting Mike Potts and director of pro scouting Steven Radicevic, says it’s a good reminder to put in the work for everyone on the board, no matter what. That is why he was booked for a visit.
“He is more than just an athlete who does well off the field. “His physical characteristics are evident on the field,” Brown says. “He excels at converting speed to power against offensive tackles. He’s great at pursuing on the back side of plays.”
Marion Hobby, the Bengals’ defensive line coach, came in two years ago as a highly regarded individual, and his standing has continued to rise alongside his team, which has played an important role in the franchise’s revival. Hobby, a former national championship co-defensive coordinator at Clemson who followed Murphy throughout his college career, appears to have another one.
SECOND ROUND: Michigan CB DJ Turner Andrew Johnson, an area scout, is making hay in Ann Arbor. For the second year in a row, he assisted the Bengals in acquiring a top Wolverine, the defensive backfield partner of last year’s first-round pick, safety Dax Hill. Turner garnered headlines for running the quickest 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in 4.26 seconds, but the Bengals are more impressed with his ability to play man with extraordinary speed. Turner’s coverage allowed only a 46.5% completion rate and forced 14 incompletions, according to Pro Football Focus.
Johnson, who has seen every snap of his last two seasons, also admires his competitiveness. He’s more than just a fast guy. Johnson had only one missed tackle this season against TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who stands 6-1 and weighs 179 pounds. He possesses many of the same attributes as Hill. Smart. Tough. Good teammate.
“He and Dax were close friends up there, and it’s great to see them together,” Johnson says. “It’ll be fantastic to see them play together again.”
THIRD ROUND: Alabama vs Jordan Battle Some observers believed the Bengals selected the top safety in the draft at No. 95. Others are questioning if he will be paired alongside Hill in the starting lineup before Thanksgiving. Something is for
Brown and Radicevic began following Ivey two years ago. Then Potts and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo attended the pro day. They then invited him in for a top 30 visit a few weeks ago.
“We noticed him in the fall and believed he may be a good fit for us at some point in the draft,” Brown adds. “We were exposed to him in a variety of ways. On the field in the last two seasons, at the pro day, and in person when we became acquainted with him on our top 30 visit. That is the beauty of the draft. Being able to spot guys early on and then approach them. I think it was well executed by all parties. Us
The front office and coaches working together to identify a man and eventually obtain the guy you recognized.”
