In this year’s draft, offensive tackle JC Latham of the Alabama Crimson Tide has been strongly associated with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Many anticipated that Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack would travel to Alabama to observe the team’s probable first-round choice.
Charles Burks, the Bengals’ DBs coach, was the sole Bengals position coach in attendance, although it appears he did not travel.
Both defensive backs from Alabama, Terrion Arnold (who some believe will go first overall) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (who could also go first) have excellent draft grades this year. The Bengals cherish cornerbacks, and even though they have selected cornerbacks with second-round selections in the past two rounds, their outside depth is now somewhat lacking.
Because of the team’s past appreciation for the position, they may take a look at the cornerbacks based on the position of the board when it reaches 18, or they may assess the likelihood that one of the two ends up as their second-round selection.
Pollack is still a viable option at the age of 18, even though it is unlikely the Bengals have seen enough of him despite his absence from the Alabama Pro Day. It’s also possible that they are looking elsewhere for an 18-year-old and don’t think he’s a good fit for them, but there’s no way to find out until the NFL Draft.
