AFC Notes: Bengals, Raiders, Ravens

Bengals

Bengals’ executive Duke Tobin praised presumptive No. 1 overall pick QB Joe Burrow‘s “leadership qualities” and “intellect” in terms of the game. 

“What we believe and what we know is that he’s got real leadership qualities,” Tobin said, via Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He’s got real football intellect. I think the game is extremely important to him. He loves the challenge of the preparation, which is a mark of a lot of good players. You’ve really got to love the grind in preparing for a game and there is a grind. You have to really thrive off of that. Those traits come across when you visit with Joe.”

Tobin added that the Bengals’ fanbase wants “a winner” at quarterback and to build a competitive roster. 

“Well, the No. 1 thing we know our fans want is a winner, so our focus is on putting together the best possible team and how best to do that,” Tobin said. “That’s always been our focus: Taking advantage of every opportunity we get and putting together the best team possible because we believe that’s what our fans want – moreso than any one name – a team that’s going to be competitive. Ultimately, if we give them that, I think they’ll be happy.”

Bengals HC Zac Taylor also said that “everything’s on the table” with Dalton and keeping him is certainly “something to consider.” 

“Everything’s on the table, and that’s the truth,” Taylor said. “Given the circumstances going on in the world right now, it doesn’t make sense not to keep our options open. [Bringing him back is] something to consider.”

Raiders

Las Vegas has made plenty of additions on defense so far, but they still have a need at the cornerback position after the deal with CB Eli Apple fell through. 

“We’ve got four or five young corners who we’re kind of intrigued by,” Raiders GM Mike Mayock said, via Scott Bair. “Now, do we think that we need to get better there? Yeah. But you always have to be careful to see how the board will fall. I think the biggest mistakes people make, is trying to reach for need. So, the board will fall whatever way it falls and if we’re fortunate enough to get a corner that’d be great.”

Bair mentions that some late first-round talents at cornerback include Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, Clemson’s A.J. Terrell, and LSU’s Kristian Fulton.

• Despite being impressed by Raiders GM Mike Mayock, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that CB Byron Jones ultimately chose Miami over the Raiders offer which was the highest of any Jones received.

Ravens

• Jeff Zrerbiec of The Athletic says the Ravens and the agents for LT Ronnie Stanley and CB Marlon Humphrey “have been mum” on potential long term negotiations and it doesn’t appear as though a deal is imminent at this time. 
• At inside linebacker, Zrebiec could see Otaro Alaka competing for a spot with the first-team defense at some point during training camp, given that he was pushing for a role last year before sustaining a season-ending hamstring injury.