Most analysts believe the Bengals will take a defensive end with the ninth pick in Thursday's NFL Draft. Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com says the Bengals will consider former Washington wide receiver John Ross. Here's an excerpt of what Pauline wrote:
"One team that I'm told has given Ross a clean bill of health is the Cincinnati Bengals, and the receiver is in the conversation for the ninth pick of the draft.
His knees were given the green light by their doctors, and the front office believes the addition of Ross to an offense that presently boasts A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and Tyler Eifert as well as recently re-signed Brandon LaFell could make them unstoppable on that side of the ball. And now that Joe Mixon has settled his civil trial, the team would be more apt to select him in the second round, something I mentioned last month.
The selection of Ross is contingent on how the team rates any available pass rusher once they are called to the clock in Round 1."
This is music to my ears. Ross' talent is unique. There aren't 10 players in this draft that can do what he can. I think the Bengals could find a pass rusher later in the draft. If they took Ross and Mixon with their first two picks, it would do wonders for an offense that struggled to score in 2016. It's clear the Bengals prefer to take a defensive end with the ninth pick. If their guy isn't there, Ross would be one heck of a consolation prize.
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