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NFL • 10 months ago

Predicting the Impact of Every Cincinnati Bengals 2015 Draft Pick

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Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Predicting the Impact of Every Cincinnati Bengals 2015 Draft Pick

Cedric Ogbuehi Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft — The Cincinnati Bengals had a solid 2015 NFL draft, filling many offseason roster needs. Some of these players may have an immediate impact while others may not contribute much until future years based on the talent the Bengals already have at those given positions. Here is a breakdown of how important these draft picks will be in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Bengals had a solid 2015 NFL draft, filling many offseason roster needs. Some of these players may have an immediate impact while others may not contribute much until future years based on the talent the Bengals already have at those given positions. Here is a breakdown of how important these draft picks will be in Cincinnati.

9. Mario Alford, WR

9. Mario Alford, WR

Alford has already signed his rookie contract with the Bengals. He has a tall order ahead of him, with several very talented veteran WRs on the Bengals' roster, but he contributes a kick-returning ability that could earn him more playing time. I expect him to make more of an impact in special teams than in the offense in 2015, but that could drastically change in 2016 when the Bengals' top three WRs enter free agency.

8. Derron Smith, S

8. Derron Smith, S

Smith has also signed his rookie contract with the Bengals, and I see a lot of potential in him earning playing time in 2015. This was a steal in the draft for the Bengals in the sixth round, and could work out in their favor sooner than later. I foresee Smith making a significant impact on special teams in 2015, and gradually being worked into the DB rotation as the year progresses.

7. C.J. Uzomah, TE

7. C.J. Uzomah, TE

While Uzomah has also made it official and signed his rookie contract, I don't see him making much of an impact anytime soon. Tyler Kroft was drafted ahead of him and is more likely to get more immediate playing time alongside starting TE Tyler Eifert. Uzomah will spend the next year or two on the bench learning the system.

6. Marcus Hardison, DT

6. Marcus Hardison, DT

Hardison, like many other rookie draft picks, will make the majority of his impact on special teams, at least in the first year or two. I believe that in the next few years, he will become a lethal weapon, playing alongside Geno Atkins as a starting defensive lineman, but that will take some time.

5. Josh Shaw, CB

5. Josh Shaw, CB

Shaw is one of the rookies I foresee making an immediate impact in this Bengals defense. He will most likely start on special teams but for a team that needed a solid cornerback this offseason, I think they will incorporate him into the rotation as the season progresses. I will make a bold prediction that he will start at least two games by the end of the 2015 season at the nickel corner position.

4. Paul Dawson, ILB

4. Paul Dawson, ILB

Dawson is the other 2015 draft pick that I believe will see plenty of action this year. He was my favorite value pick in the draft for the Bengals. There's no doubt he will make a long-term impact and I think he has the NFL-caliber talent to become a starting linebacker for the Bengals by the end of the 2015 season. He's the rookie I could see becoming a franchise player for Cincinnati.

3. Tyler Kroft, TE

3. Tyler Kroft, TE

Kroft fills the tight end void left by Jermaine Gresham. He will be a work in progress at the TE position, but he has no choice but to learn fast. While Tyler Eifert and Ryan Hewitt will be the main guys in 2015, the Bengals will need that third tight end that proves to be reliable. Given the circumstance, he will most likely receive the most snaps out of all the rookies in 2015, but don't expect star quality right away.

2. Jake Fisher, OT

2. Jake Fisher, OT

The Bengals are pretty much set at offensive line for 2015, with seasoned veterans who have proven to be reliable. Unless an injury occurs, Fisher's impact most likely won't be felt until 2016. He is, however, talented enough already to provide adequate backup throughout the 2015 season at either guard or tackle.

1. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT

1. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT

Like Fisher, Ogbuehi's first-round worth won't be evident until 2016. He was drafted to be a future starting tackle once 2016 free agency hits and the Bengals potentially lose two of their OL starters. Ogbuehi is recovering from a torn ACL as well, so I would be surprised if he sees the field at all this year. But the impact he could make in the future years is something for Bengals fans to be excited about.

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Julie Swartz is a writer for RantSports.

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