The Cincinnati Bengals entered the third day of the NFL Draft having only one pick before the sixth round. Having no fifth-round pick, Duke Tobin and Co. opted to be aggressive and add another fourth-rounder via trade with the New York Jets.
The Bengals sent picks 110 and 199 to New York and received picks 128 and 140 in return.
Pick 128 was used to draft Auburn center Connor Lew, a 20-year-old team captain with 25 collegiate starts. Lew was considered a top-40 pick early in the season before a torn ACL cut his season short. Lew was a true junior but decided to declare for the draft rather than spend another year in college.
Pick 140 yielded Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young, an intriguing prospect with NFL size and a knack for coming down with contested catches. Off-the-field and injury concerns caused him to slide down draft boards. If he puts it all together, the Bengals could have found a steal.
Trading back 18 spots in the fourth round and adding a sixth-round pick to the deal got the Bengals an opportunity to draft two players ahead of the fifth round, where they were set to be dormant. The trade also allowed the Jets to move up and draft Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
After cutting Matt Lee, who was assumed to be the center of the future, the Bengals landed what should be Ted Karras’ replacement when he retires. In his final season at Auburn, Lew allowed no sacks, no quarterback hits, and only six pressures in 228 pass blocking attempts. At only 20 years old, he has time to grow and develop behind Karras before taking the reins.
For me personally, the Young selection feels too much like a Germaine Burton scenario for me. Young shouldn’t have to pay for Burton’s transgressions, though. There is plenty to like about Young as a prospect, but if the off-field concerns resurface, it could go south for the Bengals. Truthfully, this was a luxury pick. After all of the additions to the defense this offseason, the Bengals could afford to roll the dice on this pick.
How would you grade the Bengals and Jets trade? Let us know in the comments!