Cincinnati Bengals: Top positional needs for the 2020 NFL Draft

5. Linebacker

The Cincinnati Bengals can improve at the strongside linebacker position which is currently held by Nick Vigil. Vigil, a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, had his best season a year ago with eleven tackles and one sack. Jordan Evans is the primary back-up for Vigil. Evans is a sixth-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft and has seen his playing time diminish during the course of last season.

The Bengals need to add depth at each of their linebacker spots, but the strongside is what I will expect them to focus on in the 2020 NFL Draft. While other positions may be higher a higher priority, one linebacker to watch if Cincy decides to address linebacker on Day 2 is Michigan’s Josh Uche.

Uche is dangerous as a pass-rusher who can play in a 3-4 scheme on defense or transition into a 4-3 defense like he practiced in most of his time at Michigan. Cincinnati mostly sets up in a 4-3 defensive scheme making Uche a player they can let sit back in coverage on the outside and should have a smooth transition playing in that spot.

If the Bengals want to wait till day three of the draft and grab other needs first they can look at David Woodward from Utah State who has better tackling skills than Uche but is more of a raw talent they can groom behind the players they currently have on their roster.