Tag: Chris Orr

Mock draft round-up: a final look at where former Badgers are projected to land

Mock draft season is nearly over and we’re here for a final round-up of where NFL draft writers and experts project each departed…

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Mock draft season is nearly over and we’re here for a final round-up of where NFL draft writers and experts project each departed Badger to land.

There is a consensus around the range where Jonathan Taylor, Zack Baun, Tyler Biadasz and Quintez Cephus will hear their names called, though there is understandably no consensus around what team exactly these players will land on.

And this makes sense, as mock drafts are far from perfect and never accurately predict the exact landing spots for every player. The mocks are valuable, though, as many are informed with information from general managers around the league and with analysis from hours spent on in-depth film study on each prospect. 

Nevertheless, nothing can stop the speculation that comes from the pre-draft process. Here is the final edition of that speculation as we look across the NFL media landscape at where final mock drafts have the departed Badgers landing.

 

TheDraftNetwork’s Benjamin Solak

Jonathan Taylor: 54th overall to the Buffalo Bills

I wrote about this fit two weeks ago and explained why it is one of the best fits for Taylor in the draft. I don’t know if he’ll fall to 54 but if he does this would work extremely well for all parties involved.

Zack Baun: 31st overall to the New York Giants (after a trade)

Tyler Biadasz: 140th overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Quintez Cephus: 180th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals

 

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter

Taylor: 26th overall to the Miami Dolphins

Baun: 42nd overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Biadasz: 110th overall to the New York Giants

Cephus: 164th overall to the Dallas Cowboys 

 

Sports Illustrated’s Logan Lamorandier

Taylor: 45th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baun: 40th overall to the Houston Texans

Biadasz: 82nd overall to the Dallas Cowboys

Cephus: 209th overall to the Green Bay Packers

Chris Orr: 220th overall to the Los Angeles Chargers

 

Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Hanson

Taylor: 37th overall to the Los Angeles Chargers

Baun: 41st overall to the Cleveland Browns

Biadasz: 120th overall to the New York Jets

Cephus: 179th overall to the Dallas Cowboys

Orr: 225th overall to the Baltimore Ravens

 

TheDraftWire’s Luke Easterling

Taylor: 29th overall to the Tennessee Titans

Baun: 36th overall to the New York Giants

Biadasz: 78th overall to the Atlanta Falcons

Cephus: 127th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles

 

CBSSports’ R.J. White

Taylor: 56th overall to the Miami Dolphins (after a trade)

Baun: 28th overall to the Baltimore Ravens

Biadasz: 96th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs

Cephus: 199th overall to the Los Angeles Rams

 

Where Baun, Taylor, and other Badgers land in the latest USA TODAY Mock Draft

Our friends at DraftWire recently put together their latest four round NFL mock draft, and while there where no Badgers included in the first round, both Zack Baun and Jonathan Taylor flew off the board soon after. Here is where the Badgers taken in …

Our friends at DraftWire recently put together their latest four round NFL mock draft, and while there where no Badgers included in the first round, both Zack Baun and Jonathan Taylor flew off the board soon after. Here is where the Badgers taken in the four round mock draft landed.

Zack Baun — 36th overall pick to the New York Giants 

There will be no question on draft day as to who the top two Badgers off the board are, but there is a question surrounding who goes first. In the latest mock draft, it was Baun off the board first. The former Wisconsin ‘backer has seen himself climbing up draft boards following a sensational senior season and solid combine performance. Baun racked up 12.5 sacks this past season in Madison. The Giants have needs all over their defense, and Baun would certainly be able to compete for a significant role as a rookie.

Jonathan Taylor — 39th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins 

Taylor going at 39 feels about average in terms of where we have seen him placed over this past week. Some see the two-time Doak Walker award winner as a late day one guy, although early day two seems more likely. Heading to Miami makes sense, as the Dolphins, like the Giants, are a team with needs everywhere, including at the running back position. Miami would be an opportunity for Taylor to be a three down back as a rookie.

Here is where the rest of the Badgers fell: 

Tyler Biadasz — 85th overall pick to the LA Rams 

Chris Orr — 129th overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens

Qunitez Cephus — 141st overall pick to the Miami Dolphins

Post-draft outlook: who will fill the roles of the departed Badgers?

Though the season is still five months away, it’s never too early to look ahead to how the Badgers will line up to start the season…

Though the season is still five months away, it’s never too early to look ahead to how the Badgers will line up to start the season.

The biggest question mark year-to-year, understandably, is who will step in for the former players who either finished their four years of eligibility or declared early for the NFL Draft.

This year more than any in recent memory, it seems, coach Paul Chryst will need to replace the majority of both his offensive and defensive production from last season.

That production includes more than 2000 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 1153 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns combined between offensive stars Jonathan Taylor and Quintez Cephus in addition to 153 tackles, 33.5 tackles-for-loss, 24 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception combined between defensive stars Chris Orr and Zack Baun.

Additionally, with a less-quantifiable position group, Chryst will need to replace three starters along his offensive line including projected 4th-round pick Tyler Biadasz and NFL hopeful Jason Erdmann.

There isn’t only bad news heading into the 2020 season, though, as the team welcomes back starting quarterback Jack Coan, productive wide receivers Kendric Pryor and Danny Davis, tight end Jake Ferguson, talented defensive linemen Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk, a tackling machine at linebacker in Jack Sanborn and the entire secondary from 2019.

The talent is there for another successful campaign, but the team will no doubt need players to fill the roles of those gone to the NFL.

 

Running Back

Filling Taylor’s collegiate production is an impossible task. What Chryst and the Badgers can hope to do, though, is find a consistent option to complement Garrett Groshek in the backfield and continue the string of success they’ve had at the position.

The two options to fill that role are redshirt sophomore Nakia Watson and top recruit Jalen Berger.

Watson carried the ball 74 times last season for 331 yards and two touchdowns in a backup role. The Texas native was a four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2018 and has the talent to succeed if given the starting role.

The other option, Berger, will be a true freshman this fall but is ranked as the No. 12 running back recruit in the nation and has the talent to become the next great Badger in the backfield.

If Berger redshirts this season expect the backfield to be led by Watson and a classic third-down back in Groshek. If Berger does not redshirt and sees the field Day 1, as Jonathan Taylor did during his freshman year, expect Berger to start the next era of success in the Badger backfield.

 

Wide Receiver

Though Cephus decided to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft and A.J. Taylor is finished with his four years of eligibility, the Badgers still return three solid receiving threats in Pryor, Davis and Jack Dunn.

Had Aron Cruikshank not transferred to Rutgers during the offseason, Chryst would actually be set to enter 2020 with one of the most experienced receiving cores in the Big Ten.

Pryor, Davis and Dunn all returning paired with an incoming three-star recruit in Chimere Dike points towards a productive year at wide receiver for the Badgers even without the services of Cephus, A.J. Taylor and Cruikshank.

 

Offensive Line

The offensive line seems to be the position that Chryst never has trouble rejuvenating and reloading from year to year.

The Badger coach now moves forward to 2020 without 2019 starters Biadasz, Erdmann and David Moorman but does return the likes of Cole Van Lanen, Logan Bruss, Tyler Beach, Josh Seltzner, Kayden Lyles and former five-star recruit Logan Brown and welcomes in a four-star recruit in Jack Nelson.

The starting five on the line should look something like Van Lanen and Bruss at the tackle positions, Lyles and Seltzner at the guard spots and either Blake Smithback or Joe Tippmann at center, though it is unclear at the moment who will take over at center for Biadasz.

Though Logan Brown is not in line to start yet in 2020 he is somebody worth keeping an eye on as he came to Wisconsin as the second-best prospect in program history and as an surefire future first round pick.

 

Linebacker

Orr and Baun, as I outlined earlier, combined for a remarkable season in 2019.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will now look to the junior Sanborn to take over for Orr as the leader of the defense at middle linebacker and to Noah Burks to take over Baun’s role at outside linebacker.

Both Burks and Sanborn had starting roles 2019 so there are still holes behind them in the depth chart going forward to 2020. The most likely players to fill these roles and start for Leonhard in 2020 are Leo Chenal at middle linebacker and Izayah Green-May at outside linebacker, though the outside linebacker position is still wide open as summer preparation is close to getting underway.

 

The key to success in college football is being able to develop players throughout their four years in college yet have a system in place that is able to move forward once those players graduate and fill their roles at a high level. Chryst has shown a clear ability to do this thus far during his tenure and 2020 should be no exception.

 

 

 

 

Former Badgers to keep an eye on during post-draft free agency

Wisconsin has a long history of having former players not hear their name called during the draft, receive an opportunity in post-draft…

Wisconsin has a long history of having former players not hear their name called during the draft, receive an opportunity in post-draft free agency and then overcome the odds associated with being an undrafted free agent and step into a significant role with their new team.

The most recent examples of this unorthodox path include now-Philadelphia Eagle starting linebacker T.J. Edwards, Oakland Raider starting fullback Alec Ingold, Tampa Bay Buccaneer D’Cota Dixon and Detroit Lion Beau Benzschawel.

These names, if you noticed, are from the 2019 class alone. Specifically, there were five total Badgers to receive a post-draft opportunity last year. Four of them are currently on an NFL roster with two having stepped into starting roles.

Back in 2017 it was a similar story as four former Badgers signed contracts after the draft and three of them were still on an NFL roster last season–most notably Super Bowl champion Corey Clement, Tampa Bay Buccaneer special team captain Dare Ogunbowale and Arizona Cardinal Sojourn Shelton.

Some other notable former Badgers to go undrafted and have long, successful careers in the NFL include Super Bowl champion Jonathan Casillas, current Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and Hall of Fame quarterback Arnie Herber.

In total, the list at hand is a long one and points towards NFL teams liking enough about the program and coaching at Wisconsin to take a shot on its players that don’t get selected during the draft.

Now looking forward to this week’s draft, who are the former Badgers set to possibly have to wait until after the draft to find a home in the NFL and what role may they find themselves in?

 

Linebacker Chris Orr

Orr will be the name to watch were he to go undrafted this week. The Texas native found himself in a busy linebacker room during his college career with current NFL starters Ryan Connelly and Edwards ahead of him on the depth chart for his sophomore and junior season.

This past season, though, Orr was an absolute game-wrecker as Paul Chryst’s defensive captain and finished the year with 78 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, 11.5 sacks, five passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Though he did not receive an invite to the NFL combine, Orr impressed at the Badgers’ pro day with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle, 6.99-second three-cone drill and 36.5-inch vertical jump. Those numbers would’ve been good at the combine for 13th-best, best, fifth-best and eighth-best respectively out of all linebacker participants.

Orr lucked out that Wisconsin was scheduled to have their pro day before the country shut down amid the ongoing pandemic as without the event his NFL future would be a lot more in doubt. 

His talent and senior year production should be enough to hear his name called during the draft this week but if he were to go undrafted, expect him to almost-definitely stick on an NFL roster and find his way onto the field in some capacity during his rookie year.

 

Offensive lineman Jason Erdmann

Erdmann, like Orr, did not receive a combine invite and was banking on the pro day as an opportunity to get his name onto NFL draft boards.

Unfortunately the Wisconsin native injured himself on his second 40-yard dash attempt after running his first one in 5.5 seconds and was unable to take part in most of the remaining drills.

Erdmann is an extreme long shot to get drafted and will most likely find an opportunity as an undrafted free agent due to his ability to play multiple positions up front and to his experience at the offensive line factory that is the University of Wisconsin.

 

Kicker Zach Hintze

Hintze was the kickoff specialist for Chryst and the Badgers during the 2019 season and has his name in an NFL discussion due in large part to his 62-yard field goal at the first half buzzer against Purdue in week 11.

The former walk-on has the leg to find his way onto an NFL roster though his lack of college experience may hurt his chances.

 

Other names to keep an eye on

-Defensive end David Pfaff

-Linebacker Tyler Johnson

-Linebacker Travis Wiltjer

 

The NFL Draft is set to conclude on Saturday and give way to the post-draft free agency blitz. Though today’s situation will have an effect on the free agency process, expect multiple Badgers to receive a shot at the NFL during this post-draft period.

2020 NFL draft: The best LB for the Ravens in each round

The Baltimore Ravens need serious help at inside linebacker but they have a ton of options available to them in the 2020 NFL Draft.

One of the Baltimore Ravens’ biggest needs entering the 2020 NFL Draft is at inside linebacker. After decades of having great play at linebacker with guys like Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley, Baltimore has been trying to find their next star at the position with no luck. After revamping their defensive line this offseason and having a stacked secondary, inside linebacker remains one of the only positions keeping the Ravens from having a truly legendary unit.

Though all the attention will go to prospects in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Baltimore could find key contributors throughout the entire draft. While typical three-down linebackers will go in the first round, the Ravens can find players for niche roles (playing the run or dropping into coverage) all the way to the seventh round if they wish.

With that in mind, I wanted to identify who would be the top target at linebacker in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Some of these players might fall into Baltimore’s lap when they pick and others will require the Ravens to trade up to go get them. But these are the best of the best of each round in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

1st round: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

You don’t get any better than Simmons in this draft, which is why he’s widely considered the top linebacker prospect and expected to go in the top 10. However, there is a little contention over where Simmons ends up playing in the NFL. As a more athletic player with insane speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine), Simmons might be better suited to playing safety than a traditional three-down linebacker role.

The Ravens love that type of versatility and would be able to do so many things with a player of Simmons’ caliber. Just imagining defensive coordinator Don Martindale moving Simmons all over the field likely has Baltimore drooling. With a ton of upside, Simmons could be a star in the right scheme and it’s easy to see how the Ravens would be the exact right fit for him.

The problem here is that Baltimore is going to have to absolutely love Simmons for him to be even considered an option. In order to have a shot at drafting Simmons, the Ravens will have to move up pretty far. Even if Simmons falls a little bit, the amount Baltimore would have to give up in a trade to go get him makes it extremely unlikely it happens. Still, for an article pointing to the best in each round, Simmons is that guy in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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The Badgers pro day came at the perfect time for Wisconsin’s NFL hopefuls

The Badgers pro day was one of the last sporting events to take place. It could prove to be huge for UW’s NFL hopefuls.

Wisconsin’s NFL pro day came on one of the wildest days in sports history. Luckily, it took place in the morning. On March 11th, eleven Badger hopefuls participated in drills that were put on for NFL coaches, scouts, and other team personnel. That night in Oklahoma City, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 and the NBA went into shutdown mode. Had the pro day been one day later, you never know if UW would have gone forward with it.

For players with established NFL Draft futures like Jonathan Taylor and Zack Baun, the pro day was a chance to improve their already solidified stock. Arguably more importantly, the luck of the timing allowed Badger prospects with larger draft questions to show out in Madison. If Quintez Cephus hears his name called at the 2020 NFL Draft, the results of the pro day could be a big reason why. The Badger wide receiver ran a 4.73 in his 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, a number that was a major red flag for NFL teams. In just a matter of weeks, the Georgia native improved that number to 4.58 at Wisconsin’s pro day. Had he not been given the chance, who knows what NFL team’s would be speculating about his 40-yard dash time.

For Chris Orr, the lack of a combine invite was a slap in the face after a phenomenal senior season. His 11.5 sacks in 2019 were not enough to get him to the combine, but he was able to put up solid numbers at Wisconsin’s pro day. The Badger ‘backer ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, to go along with a 36.5 inch vertical jump. For Orr, those numbers could be the difference at the NFL Draft.

Wisconsin’s pro day was one of the last sporting events to take place in the United States. We would never have completely known it at the time, but the Badger hopefuls were lucky they had the chance to ball in front of NFL teams.

BadgersWire Mock Draft 1.0: The most likely landing spots and best fits for the departing Badgers

With sports still on hold mock draft season is in full swing around the sports media world. Most mock drafts posted by NFL analysts and…

[lawrence-newsletter]

With sports still on hold mock draft season is in full swing around the sports media world. 

Most mock drafts posted by NFL analysts and media members run through the first round of the draft, or a bit further, and predict which direction each team will go with their selections. These mock drafts vary a lot, and often do not incorporate trades into the draft position for each team and thought process behind each pick.

So, in order to do something a little bit different, here is the BadgersWire NFL Mock Draft 1.0, a mock only focusing on the recently departed Wisconsin Badgers by looking at their most likely landing spots, possible draft position and best fits for their skill sets.

 

Running Back Jonathan Taylor

Most likely landing spot: Miami Dolphins at No. 26

Projected draft position: Late first or early to mid second round

Best fits: New Orleans Saints at No. 24, Kansas City Chiefs at No. 32 or the Buffalo Bills at No. 54

 

There has been much debate about how to rank the top running backs in this year’s class. Recently, several NFL analysts have expressed their concerns with Taylor’s ball security and mileage and, as a result, have moved him down on their draft boards behind guys like J.K. Dobbins, D’Andre Swift and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. To me, the former Badger is hands down the most complete running back in the draft and, were he to find himself on the Chiefs, Saints or Bills come week one, has the potential to make a significant impact as a day-one starter. It is important to note, though, that whatever team drafts Taylor should have a developed pass-catching back to use on third downs when Taylor does need a breather.

Overall, Taylor’s strengths outweigh his weakness (yes, ball security is my one red flag) and he should be the first running back off the board come draft day.

(Taylor in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes, that offense and Head Coach Andy Reid’s history with running backs? Talk about a fit)

 

Linebacker Zack Baun

Most likely landing spot: Baltimore Ravens at No. 28

Projected draft position: Late first or early second round

Best fits: Baltimore at No. 28, Green Bay Packers at No. 30, Kansas City Chiefs at No. 32, Miami Dolphins at No. 39 or the Houston Texans at No. 40

 

Almost every draft analyst loves Baun’s NFL potential and has him slated to be selected at the end of the first round or early in the second round. His specific draft position is a lot harder to predict given the amount of teams that need to upgrade at EDGE and the value that Baun will bring to a defense. I think his most likely landing spot and best fit is with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 28 as they have a need at the position and would be adding the former Badger to an already-loaded defensive front and stacked roster without many offensive needs.

No matter which team selects the Milwaukee product, though, his pass-rushing skills will provide solid production off the edge from day one while his versatility and athleticism will make him a valuable asset in pass coverage as well.

 

Center Tyler Biadasz

Most likely landing spot: Seattle Seahawks at No. 101

Projected draft position: Early to mid third round

Best fits: Denver Broncos at No. 95, Kansas City Chiefs at No. 96, Cleveland Browns at No. 97 or Seattle at No. 101 

 

Biadasz has an impressive collegiate track record as he was a centerpiece for the Badgers’ exceptional offensive lines in 2017 and 2018 that helped Taylor break records running the football. He also proved to be durable throughout his career at Wisconsin as he is entering the draft having started in 41 consecutive contests, though draft analysts have written that offseason hip surgery did affect his production a bit during the 2019-20 season. Regardless, the former Badger center will be a day one starter for whatever team selects him and his abilities would be put to great use by teams in need of interior offensive linemen including the Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs and Browns.

 

 

Wide Receiver Quintez Cephus

Most likely landing spot: Philadelphia Eagles

Projected draft position: fifth round

Best fits: New York Giants at No. 150, Philadelphia at No. 168, Tennessee Titans at No. 174 or the Green Bay Packers at No. 175

 

Cephus is the biggest sleeper of the Badgers who are entering this year’s draft. Despite Wisconsin not being known to produce NFL-caliber players on the outside, Ohio State cornerback and projected top-5 pick Jeff Okudah called him the best wide receiver he faced during his time in college (compared to receivers including Clemson’s Tee Higgins, Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson and Penn State’s K.J. Hamler).

Cephus’ big red flag is missing the 2018 season with a legal issue, though he did return in 2019 and produce the best season we’ve seen from a Badger wide receiver in years. His best fits are with any team in need of a sure-handed wide receiver with experience and success against some of the nation’s top cornerbacks.

To me, the Eagles fit this bill perfectly and would be wise to select Cephus with one of their late-round selections.

 

Linebacker Chris Orr

Most likely landing spot: any team in need of a rotational/developmental linebacker prospect

Projected draft position: un-drafted

 

Orr is not projected to be selected in April’s draft though he should find himself signed as an un-drafted free agent and receive an opportunity to make an NFL roster come August.

Orr’s experience and skill set remind me of T.J. Edwards when he was coming out of Wisconsin a few years ago. Edwards went on after the draft to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, make the week one roster, crack the starting lineup during his rookie season and now is currently in line to start at middle linebacker for the team this season. Maybe a similar path will become available for Orr were he to go un-drafted later this month.

 

The NFL Draft is slated to begin on April 23 and run until April 25 in an entirely online format.

New destinations for Baun and Taylor in the latest USA TODAY Mock Draft

Taking a look at where former Badgers fell in the latest USA TODAY Mock Draft

[lawrence-newsletter][lawrence-auto-related count=2]Our friends at USA TODAY’s DraftWire site recently uploaded the latest edition of their 2020 Mock Draft series. 

Here is where the five Wisconsin Badger’s taken through the first four rounds fell:

Jonathan Taylor, RB — 29th overall to the Tennessee Titans 

The only Badger taken in the first round was Taylor, who by nearly all projections will be the first Badger off the board in a couple weeks. The two-time Doak Walker Award Winner had previously been slotted by USA TODAY to end up going 28th overall to Baltimore and 24th overall to New Orleans in the previous two mock’s respectively. The Titans do not seem like the most natural fit for Taylor given the play of bruising back Derrick Henry, but the Badger legend landing anywhere in the first round feels like a win.

Zack Baun, LB — 36th overall to the New York Giants 

This is the highest spot that the former Badger has landed in USA TODAY’s Mock Draft series so far. The first team all-Big Ten performer could make an immediate impact on a defense that needs help in New York. We also know that the Dallas Cowboys are interested in the linebacker with the 51st pick near the end of the second round given they interviewed Baun via Zoom last week.

Here is where the rest of the Badgers taken in the first four rounds fell:

Tyler Biadasz, OL — 78th overall to the Atlanta Falcons

Chris Orr, LB — 109th overall to the Detroit Lions 

Quintez Cephus, WR — 127th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles 

Chargers had pre-draft meeting with Wisconsin LB Chris Orr

The Los Angeles Chargers continue their hunt for more linebackers.

Adding more depth to the linebacker room is a necessity for the Chargers. They could be hoping for a former Wisconsin product to help the positional group this upcoming season.

According to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo, Los Angeles had a pre-draft meeting with LB Chris Orr.

Orr, the 6-foot and 224 pounder enjoyed a productive 2019 campaign, finishing with 78 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and five passes defended. His efforts earned him All-Big-Ten recognition.

Even though he had a great final season for the Badgers, Orr wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. However, Wisconsin still held their annual pro day where he posted solid athletic testing numbers.

Orr ran a 4.65-second 40, a 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle, and a 6.99-second three-cone drill.

In the Chargers defense, Orr would be used primarily near the line of scrimmage as an additional pass-rusher since he wasn’t tasked with dropping back in coverage often in college. Additionally, he would be a key special teamer.

Orr projects as a Day 3 selection.

Bengals held pre-draft meets with big 2020 defenders, including Antoine Winfield Jr.

The Bengals met with three notable defenders.

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The Cincinnati Bengals have forged ahead during a unique 2020 NFL draft process by holding pre-draft meetings with several major defensive names.

Antoine Winfield Jr. headlines those names, though Justin Madubuike and Chris Orr shouldn’t go unnoticed. Justin Melo of Draft Wire revealed all three meets for the Bengals.

Winfield, a safety from Minnesota, has the notable name and big play to back it up. He’s graded as a starter within the first two seasons by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, which probably has him as a candidate for the No. 33 pick to pair with Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates.

Madubuike isn’t as recognizable of a name but he might just make it into the first round. So it seems to go for a potential one-gap tackle who can disrupt or anchor against the run.

As for Orr, he’s more of a value buy in the mid-rounds or later, but as depth and a guy who can put pressure on the quarterback, it’s hard to complain about the interest.

As expected, the Bengals have their eyes all over defenders in this draft class even after retooling the unit with several new starters in free agency. While Joe Burrow is No. 1, the three names here should get marked down as ones to remember.

Two of three register in interesting slots on our big board:

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