Cincinnati Bengals 2021 NFL Draft grades: Needs have been filled
Scouting Report. Tulane. 4. player. Pick Analysis. Edge. Cameron Sample. 56
Grade: B-
Just one round after the selection of Ossai, the Cincinnati Bengals decided to double-dip at the edge position by taking Tulane pass rusher, Cameron Sample, with their first fourth-round selection of the 2021 NFL Draft. Sample totaled 10.5 sacks in his last three years with the Green Wave and provides the Bengals with a little more versatility than Ossai.
Sample can line up off the edge and get around tackles while also having the frame and play strength to kick inside and create interior pressure. The contrasting styles of play between Sample and Ossai almost make me like their additions as a duo even more than I did individually. They should both contribute in a rotational role right away in Cincinnati.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. LSU. 5. player. DT. Tyler Shelvin. 56
Grade: A
Adding a presence on the defensive interior was a major need for Cincinnati heading into the 2021 NFL Draft and the Bengals landed a rather large presence in Tyler Shelvin. An absolute unit at the nose tackle position, Shelvin tipped the scales at 350 pounds at his pro day in Baton Rouge.
After opting out of the 2020 season, Shelvin’s draft stock took a bit of a hit but he was a force in the run game in 2019, totaling 39 tackles in the Tigers’ championship run. He should immediately take the backup nose tackle role behind D.J. Reader and improves another position desperate for depth. Loved this pick.
OT. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. East Carolina. D'Ante Smith. 6. 56
Grade: B
After doubling up on talent at the edge position earlier in the draft, the Cincinnati Bengals do the same at offensive tackle by selecting East Carolina’s D’Ante Smith with the 139th selection of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Smith is a long-armed tackle that played really light at the collegiate level, which was evident by his quick feet and movement skills. That being said, Smith knew he would need to put on weight to make it at the next level and has apparently done that after tipping the scales at 294 at the Senior Bowl.
If he’s able to maintain that quickness while adding play strength, Smith has a chance to develop into a starting-caliber tackle for Cincinnati down the line.