2019 NFL Mock Draft: Jets have edge, Browns get defensive in two-round projection
By Randy Gurzi
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, LB, LSU
After 16 years with Marvin Lewis serving as the head coach, the Cincinnati Bengals are under new leadership. Their coach heading into 2019 will be 35-year old Zac Taylor, who spent last season as the quarterbacks’ coach with the Los Angeles Rams.
The move will be interesting for sure as Taylor has just two seasons experience as an offensive coordinator under his belt (2015 with the Miami Dolphins and 2016 at the University of Cincinnati). That’s not an indicator of whether or not he will have success, but it’s worth paying attention to.
It will also be interesting to see how the roster shakes out. Will Taylor try and work with Andy Dalton, or is he going to want his own quarterback? Outside of that, he may be in the market to start adding new skill players to replace some of the veterans. His direction for the future is all an unknown.
Also unknown is how Taylor will handle disciplinary problems. For years, Lewis was overly forgiving and guys like Vontaze Burfict continued to get chances despite being a personal foul machine. A new coach could spell the end for Burfict, which is the idea here as they take LSU linebacker Devin White. Easily the best linebacker in the class, White is an instinctive player who can get from one side of the field to the other in the blink of an eye. He should not only replace Burfict, but could prove to be better in time.