Bengals Pick One of the 'Biggest Steals' and One of the 'Biggest Reaches' in the 2021 NFL Draft
CINCINNATI — The Bengals added 10 players to their roster in the 2021 NFL Draft. Cincinnati selected seven offensive (3) and defensive linemen (4), one wide receiver, one running back and a kicker.
They picked Texas edge rusher Joseph Ossai in the third-round (69th overall). That selection was one of the drafts "biggest steals" according to The Athletic. Ossai was 42nd on their consensus board.
On the flip side, the Bengals spent their fifth-round pick (149th overall) on Florida kicker Evan McPherson. The former Gators star was 316th on The Athletic's consensus board.
Part of the "reach" was simply drafting a kicker in the fifth round. McPherson was the clear cut No. 1 kicker on the Bengals' board and there wasn't a close second.
“It depends on what my position evaluations are of that guy, and how many guys do I think are draftable, and how many guys do I think can improve our situation," special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said after the Bengals drafted McPherson. "If I believe a guy was a sixth-round talent and all 32 teams in the league believe he is a sixth-round talent, that means for us to have accessibility, you have to take him a round higher than that. There are some teams that I’ve identified that have a need at kicker, some of which had multiple picks in this round. We felt like we had to stay out in front of those that way, if this is the route we wanted to go to try and bring Evan on.”
For more on the Bengals, including the latest news and breakdowns, subscribe to our YouTube Channel!!!
Ossai was a steal and McPherson will offer good value if he becomes one of the NFL's elite kickers. If he doesn't then it'll be fair to question the Bengals' decision to take a kicker with the 149th overall pick.
Related: A Quality Breakdown of New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson
For the latest Bengals news and coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below.
-----
You May Also Like:
Analyst Names Bengals' Best and Worst Draft Picks
Chad Johnson is Getting in the Ring
Former NFL Star Sees Bengals' Vision With Ja'Marr Chase
The Lions Tried to Trade Up With the Bengals in 2021 NFL Draft
Analyst Believes Bengals Have One of the Most Improved O-Line Rooms in the NFL
Should the Bengals Make a Run at Pro Bowl Tackle Charles Leno?
Watch: A Quality Breakdown of New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson
A Closer Look at the Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase Over Penei Sewell
An Inside Look at the Bengals' Pursuit of Second Round OL Jackson Carman
Draft Grades Are In: Here's What the National Media is Saying About the Bengals
A Three Down Look at All Seven Bengals Day 3 Draft Picks
Track EVERY Bengals Undrafted Free Agent Signing Here
Chris Evans Worked on 'The Mixon' At Michigan
Bengals Add Giovani Bernard Replacement at Running Back
Bengals Take Center Trey Hill in Sixth Round
Watch: New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Made One of the Best Kicks Ever
Bengals Bolster Offensive Line With D'Ante Smith
LSU Reunion: Bengals Take BIG Tyler Shelvin in Round Four
Bengals Bolster Pass Rush With Cam Sample in Fourth Round
Former Bengals Coach Has HIGH Praise for Jackson Carman
Here are the Top Players the Bengals May Target on Day Three of the NFL Draft
Bengals Receive Mixed Grades on Day Two of NFL Draft
Willie Anderson Gives Stamp of Approval on Bengals 2nd Rounder Jackson Carman
Analyst Praises Bengals' Second-Round Pick Jackson Carman
Bengals Get Defensive, Take Edge Rusher Joseph Ossai From Texas
Watch: Joseph Ossai is a human highlight reel
Bengals Second Round Selection Jackson Carman Earns Big-Time Praise
Bengals Take Offensive Lineman Jackson Carman is Second Round
Ja'Marr Chase Gives Shoutout to Bengals Super Fan
Passing on Penei: Here's Why Ja'Marr Chase Was the Right Pick
Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Emotional Letter From Parents
Here's What National Analysts Are Saying About the Ja'Marr Chase Pick
Ja'Marr Chase Makes BOLD Statement on Draft Night
-----
Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time!
Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals