The Cincinnati Bengals have gone back to defense for their second sixth round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, taking Ole Miss edge rusher Cedric Johnson No. 214 overall.Johnson spent four years at Ole Miss and totaled 111 tackles (56 solo, 55 assisted) and 22.0 for a loss, with 19.0 of those being sacks.In 2023, Johnson tied for the team lead in sacks and was third in tackles for loss.NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says he understands why NFL teams were interested in Johnson, due to his "NFL body type and play strength," but says the tape fails to consistently hit the mark."He's strong at the point of attack and will set firm edges," Zierlein writes, "But needs to become more intent on ridding himself of blockers and making more plays."Johnson has upside but might never be more than a solid edge backup if his rush doesn't improve," Zierlein continued.Cincinnati's edge attack might be one of the strengths of the defense, but the intrigue in the unit grew this week after Trey Hendrickson publicly requested a trade form the club, something Bengals officials said would not happen.Sam Hubbard and Myles Murphy, the Bengals first-round pick last year, headline the rest of the edge room.Johnson is the first defensive player to be drafted by the Bengals this year who did not post a Pro Football Focus grade above 70, with his highest coming in 2022, when he logged a 69.2. This past season, he was graded a 66.7.
The Cincinnati Bengals have gone back to defense for their second sixth round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, taking Ole Miss edge rusher Cedric Johnson No. 214 overall.
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Johnson spent four years at Ole Miss and totaled 111 tackles (56 solo, 55 assisted) and 22.0 for a loss, with 19.0 of those being sacks.
In 2023, Johnson tied for the team lead in sacks and was third in tackles for loss.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says he understands why NFL teams were interested in Johnson, due to his "NFL body type and play strength," but says the tape fails to consistently hit the mark.
"He's strong at the point of attack and will set firm edges," Zierlein writes, "But needs to become more intent on ridding himself of blockers and making more plays.
"Johnson has upside but might never be more than a solid edge backup if his rush doesn't improve," Zierlein continued.
Cincinnati's edge attack might be one of the strengths of the defense, but the intrigue in the unit grew this week after Trey Hendrickson publicly requested a trade form the club, something Bengals officials said would not happen.
Sam Hubbard and Myles Murphy, the Bengals first-round pick last year, headline the rest of the edge room.
Johnson is the first defensive player to be drafted by the Bengals this year who did not post a Pro Football Focus grade above 70, with his highest coming in 2022, when he logged a 69.2.
This past season, he was graded a 66.7.
