April 23, 201610 yr Analyst Mike Renner takes a pick-by-pick look at the 2016 draft prospects that best fit the Bengals' needs. PFF is putting together team-specific draft boards for all 32 franchise using our draft rankings and evaluation of how each player fits in specific schemes. Included are three ideal targets for each team with their first-, second-, and third-round picks, along with a team-specific draft board [scroll down to bottom of article] that includes every player in PFF’s draft rankings. Here is the entry for the Cincinnati Bengals: Round 1 (24th overall) Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama Russell Bodine has had his chances, and the need to upgrade at the position has become apparent. Kelly is the top center on our board, and the scheme fit couldn’t be better. The senior is a mauler in the run game and had one of the more dominant stretches we saw from a center all year leading up to the national title game. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor Coleman is more than just a speedster, and if he lasts until pick No. 24, I imagine the Bengals would be ecstatic to hand a card in with his name on it. Coleman was on pace to be the top-graded receiver last year by a mile when Seth Russell was healthy. Even with a third-string quarterback under center, Coleman still managed 3.97 yards per route run, the third-highest total in the FBS. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia With Reggie Nelson walking to Oakland, the safety position next to George Iloka has an opening. Joseph is the only safety outside of Jalen Ramsey (who played the position in 2014) we’ve deemed worthy of a possible first-round selection. The former Mountaineer may have been a lock first-rounder if he hadn’t missed most of his senior season. He was playing out of his mind with five interceptions in four games before being lost for the year with a knee injury. Round 2 (55th overall) Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama Jones has all the tools to be a slot cornerback right away and potentially grow into a full-time starter on the outside. He was the seventh-highest-graded cornerback in the country last year, but his height (5-foot-10) will push him down a bit. Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State Johnson had the second-best run-defense grade of any nose tackle in the FBS last year. His best fit is as a one-technique, a position that Cincinnati uses as much as any team in the NFL. With Domata Peko losing steam in his early 30s, Johnson could bring some pop back to the Bengals’ run defense. Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers Carroo is another guy that may have gone higher if he could have stayed healthy the past two years. In only 363 snaps a season ago, the Rutgers wideout averaged 4.11 yards per route run, the highest figure of anyone in the draft class. At the Senior Bowl, he posted the highest win percentage of any receiver in the one-on-ones. Round 3 (87th overall) De’Vante Harris, CB, Texas A&M Harris was one of the stingier corners in the country last year, allowing only 275 yards in 877 snaps. He has a reckless streak, though, and lacks the pure speed to get away with it in the NFL. There is definitely upside here for a mid-rounder, however. Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU The Bengals certainly have a mold for their defensive ends, and it’s one that Kaufusi fits. He might not be the physical freak that Margus Hunt was coming out, but Kaufusi is a much more polished football player. Kaufusi was tops among all interior players in pass-rushing productivity last season. Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa Garrett is a physically-imposing receiver at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He’s also got some speed to burn, and was one of the most productive deep receivers a year ago. His 725 yards on deep passes finished as second-most in the FBS last season. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/19/draft-pff-draft-board-cincinnati-bengals/
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