AFC Notes: Bengals, Patriots, Raiders

Bengals

• Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer takes a look at the top-four offensive tackle options for the Bengals in the 2019 NFL Draft, including Oklahoma’s Cody Ford, Washington State’s Andre Dillard, Florida’s Jawaan Taylor, and Alabama’s Jonah Williams. 
• Dehner Jr. expects the Bengals to select an offensive tackle within the first three rounds and predicts they’ll grab Northern Illinois’ Max Scharping in the third-round. 
• Other prospects to keep an eye on, according to Dehner Jr, include Alabama State’s Tytus Howard, and Washington’s Kaleb McGary.

Patriots

• Although the Patriots signed TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins this offseason, Kevin Duffy of the Boston Herald writes that there is “no question” New England will address the tight end position in the 2019 NFL Draft. 
• Duffy believes Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson is the best “early-round” fit for the Patriots, but they would likely have to trade up to select him.
• Duffy views San Diego State TE Kahale Warring as the Patriots’ best mid-round option, West Virginia’s Trevon Wesco as the top late-round option.
• Duffy lists Titans TE Delanie Walker or Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate as speculative trade options.

Raiders

Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes that the Raiders are expected to draft a “starting guard” in the 2019 NFL Draft and mentions Boston College’s Chris Lindstrom as a player to keep an eye on. 

Lindstrom said that Raiders HC Jon Gruden told him that he would “love” to draft him and feels that the Raiders’ staff “were huge in developing me” during the Senior Bowl.

“He [Gruden] said, ‘I’d love to take you back to Oakland,’” Lindstrom said. “They were huge in developing me as a player, even in just that week. I got so much better from working with them. … I’d be grateful for any of the 32 teams, but it’d be a really big pleasure and honor. They’re one of the most storied franchises in the NFL.”

Gehlken mentions that Lindstrom is projected as a first- or second-round pick.