10 Best available players for the Bengals entering Day 3
Through three rounds of the draft, the Cincinnati Bengals have added EDGE Shemar Stewart, LB Demetrius Knight Jr. and OG Dylan Fairchild. The Bengals are currently scheduled to have three picks on the final day of the draft, Nos. 119, 153 and 193.
With 102 players off the board, there are still plenty of good players waiting to hear their name called Saturday. The most prolific of those names, perhaps by far, is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. A potential top-five pick at one point, Sanders has now seen five quarterbacks be taken ahead of him.
Fortunately, the Bengals don't have to worry about that circus because they have no need to select Sanders. So who are some of the top players remaining, besides the quarterbacks? Here are some of the top names from the consensus big board built by Arif Hasan.
Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
Mbow has experience at both guard and tackle and had a nice week at the Senior Bowl. He does have a bit of a medical history, including a bad broken leg in 2023.
Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Sawyer made his case during the College Football Playoff with his scoop and score against Texas in the semifinals. He was in Dane Brugler's top 60 overall. Perhaps teams feel his lack of pass-rush arsenal isn't worth a higher pick. His wait shouldn't be too long Saturday.
Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
Swinson had a very productive season in 2024 with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss but has plenty of developing to do. Teams also had to do some digging on him after having issues last season that included being suspended for the first quarter of the Florida game.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Ayomanor is arguably the best remaining "X" receiver after the expected receiver run on day 2 (ten receivers drafted). Solid production across two years at Stanford (averaged 900 yards and six touchdowns) but also had six drops in each of his two seasons played (redshirted in 2022).
Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Royals brings good size and speed and can help in the return game. A right foot injury limited him to seven games last season after a 15-touchdown season in 2023. He'll develop his route tree but has plenty of potential.
RELATED: Instant analysis of Bengals picking Dylan Fairchild in the third round
Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Sampson was a huge reason Tennessee reached the College Football Playoffs last season, rushing for almost 1,500 yards (totaled over 1,600) and an incredible 22 touchdowns. He is fast and powerful. Dane Brugler compares his game to that of Titans RB Tony Pollard.
Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Skattebo was the rising star from the College Football Playoff and almost single-handedly helped Arizona State beat Texas. He finished second in rushing in the nation last season behind Ashton Jeanty. Skattebo was the lone Sun Devil at the Scouting Combine.
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
Farmer is an explosive defensive tackle who can fill in as a 3-tech at the next level and worked hard to get himself into better shape and add weight and muscle. He can work into a rotation early on.
Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Williams is very raw but also very young, giving him plenty of room and time to grow. Very good size at 6-6, 334 pounds. He does have some injury questions with his knee and has only played right tackle, so there is a good bit of projection here.
Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Kennard was one of the most productive and disruptive edge-rushers in the SEC last season. He had 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss with three forced fumbles. Can still grow with getting pressure on the quarterback but can very well get after the quarterback at the next level.
RELATED: Bengals receive extremely mixed grades for Shemar Stewart pick
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