The Cincinnati Bengals hit Day 2 of the 2016 NFL draft with a more needs-based approach and mixed it with a bit of a shocker.
In the second round at No. 55, Cincinnati grabbed Pittsburgh wideout Tyler Boyd to help ease the losses of Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones from the offseason.
The third round saw the Bengals take Utah State's Nick Vigil at No. 87, a shocking pick given the need in the defensive trenches and other spots, albeit a smart one down the road if the coaching staff can help him develop.
All that remains for the Bengals is tackling Round 4 and beyond Saturday afternoon. Within, let's take a final look at the team's big board and mock how the coaching staff might address the remaining needs with a pick left in each round.
Big Board
1 of 5Cincinnati taking care of the need at wideout and going linebacker in the third round creates quite the interesting big board.
Those picks don't eliminate the positions from the list because if the value's there, the team will still pull the trigger. However, need will certainly play a bigger factor in how the team acts as Day 3 heads toward the draft's conclusion.
Round 4
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Pick 122: Dean Lowry, DE, Northwestern
Going linebacker in the third round opens up some interesting possibilities for the Bengals in the fourth.
That said, the team needs to hit a position of need in a hurry to actually improve right away via the draft.
With such a theme in mind, Northwestern's Dean Lowry makes plenty of sense. Lowry looks the part of a Bengals edge defender at 6'6" and 296 pounds. While not the best pass-rusher just yet, he's strong enough to hold up on the edge against the rush or kick inside to tackle.
Bingo, considering what the Bengals expect from their rotational guys. After losing Wallace Gilberry and Margus Hunt still struggling to find himself, Lowry addresses a key need in a big way.
While Cincinnati might have been better off hitting the need earlier given its importance, Lowry certainly has the talent to make an impact as a rookie.
Round 5
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Pick 161: Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati
Cincinnati took the aforementioned Boyd in the second round, but that won't stop the Bengals from looking for value or role players after losing two starting receivers behind A.J. Green this offseason.
This seems like a good slot for the Bengals to add a speed guy to the mix, especially with Cincinnati's Chris Moore on the board.
A local product, Moore is a vertical threat who doesn't do much else at 6'1" and 206 pounds. In Cincinnati that's fine, as the Bengals could use a developmental guy who can occasionally take the top off a defense.
In time, Moore can develop into more of a base-package guy while learning from Green and others.
Round 6
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Pick 199: Jack Allen, OL, Michigan State
The Bengals don't have a choice but to address the offensive line at some point in this class with the way Russell Bodine continues to struggle at center and the need for depth on the interior.ย
Jack Allen out of Michigan State seems like a typical Bengals pick, and in a good way. He's a four-year starter and leader who comes in at 6'1" and 294 pounds who dominates tackles with his elite use of leverage.
While not an incredible athlete who will get downfield and bulldoze linebackers and defensive backs, Allen has the drive and smarts to succeed as a starter in time.
Cincinnati has time. Allen is the type of pick who will either get the best out of Bodine or eventually replace him.
Round 7
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Pick 245: Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
Cincinnati's odd decision to go linebacker in the third round has an interesting ripple effect on need.ย
It also reveals the team might be more comfortable with the combo of Domata Peko and Pat Sims at defensive tackle than most realize.
Still, when it comes to value and a guy who could wind up making the final roster, it's hard to ignore Florida State's Nile Lawrence-Stample.
Lawrence-Stample is a monster of a tackle who comes in at 6'1" and 320 pounds. He's a run-stuffing presence who can play a solid role in a rotation, as NFL.com's Lance Zierlein explained:
"While he has the thickness of a plugging nose tackle, Lawrenceยญ-Stample didn't control his grass and dominate at the point of attack as much as scouts wanted to see this season. He has enough power in his base to anchor against double teams and his work at the point of attack will improve with more hand work. Appears to be a backup interior lineman who can handle rotational work.ย
"
Call it the perfect fit in Cincinnati, where Lawrence-Stample could be the situational run defender next to Geno Atkins on the inside.
If he can knock one of the trusted veterans off the roster, of course.
Stats courtesy ofย NFL.comย and are accurateย as of April 29. All advanced metrics courtesy ofย Pro Football Focus.
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