2020 NFL Draft: Grading each draft pick made by the Cincinnati Bengals
Pick Analysis. 6. Kansas. Hakeem Adeniji . player. 56. Scouting Report. OL
Grade: A
In the sixth round, the Cincinnati Bengals land offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji from Kansas with the 180th overall pick. My mock draft for the Bengals had Adeniji being their fifth-round selection, so having him fall into their laps at the start of round six is a win.
They are adding to their offensive line after selecting left tackle Jonah Williams in the first round and left guard Michael Jordan in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
In free agency this offseason, the Bengals added veteran right guard Xavier Su’A-Filo who came over from the Dallas Cowboys. At right tackle, the Bengals current starter is Bobby Hart who has five years of NFL experience.
Most likely, Adeniji will fill the backup spot behind Williams on the left side of the offensive line as there is a lot of depth on the right side behind Hart. The two young prospects behind Hart are Isaiah Prince and O’Shea Dugas both of whom are promising tackles. So Adeniji may have to be a backup a couple of seasons before getting a chance to show if he can become a starter in the NFL.
Pick Analysis. 56. player. Scouting Report. LB. Purdue. Markus Bailey . 7
Grade: A-
The Cincinnati Bengals take their third linebacker in the 2020 NFL Draft in the seventh round and select Markus Bailey from Purdue with the 215th overall selection. On day two, the Bengals landed a potential starting middle linebacker, and then to open up day three they take an outside linebacker to compete on the strong side.
To finish things off on day three the Bengals fill a need on the weak side linebacker spot. The starting linebacker on that side is 2019 third-round pick Germaine Pratt who had a solid rookie season.
Bringing in Bailey here late in the draft is just a depth move to have someone to back up Pratt. Even though Bailey is a late pick I believe he can be productive at the next level and had a solid 2018 season with 115 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.
Next. Grading each first-round 2020 Draft pick. dark
The Bengals only other linebacker on the roster for the weak side is 27-year-old Brady Sheldon who has not played a down in the NFL. So Bailey should be able to secure the backup role this coming preseason for the Bengals.