The Cincinnati Bengals play just 15 minutes away from the Cincinnati Bearcats’ Nippert Stadium.
Both teams are ingrained into the city’s history, but one player has an opportunity to make his mark on both. Even more special for said player: his roots are in the eastern portion of Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals News Today
Cincinnati held its local pro day, allowing hometown hopefuls to showcase their skills. That and more in today’s Bengals news!
Cincinnati Bearcats DL Jowon Briggs Works Out With Hometown Team
University of Cincinnati edge rusher Jowon Briggs is from the city, attended Walnut Hills High School, and now can add another mark to his Cincinnati bingo card. Though he wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, the Bengals worked out the 6’1″, 310-pound defensive lineman at the team’s local pro day.
He even met Bengals president Mike Brown, who introduced himself by shaking Briggs’ hand.
“It means a lot,” Briggs said via Pro Football Network Bengals Insider Jay Morrison. “I was a little rattled. I’m trying to keep my composure. He said I was a good student, and I did a lot of singing. For once I was at a loss for words. It’s humbling to see that someone at that level knows me.
“I’ve been here my whole life, coming down to camps and seeing him walk around,” Briggs continued. “It’s the owner. That’s why I was nervous when he was walking up.”
Briggs had a productive collegiate career, tallying 169 tackles (45 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks in 52 games between Virginia and Cincinnati. He’s projected as a potential Day 3 selection.
KEEP READING: Bengals Owner Gives Cincinnati Prospect a Moment To Remember
Bengals Potentially Throw a Curveball in Latest Mock
Cincinnati has the No. 18 pick in this year’s NFL Draft. That could mean a few different options for the team, including improving the defense or adding another offensive lineman to the fold to protect quarterback Joe Burrow.
Instead, Pro Football Network NFL Insider Adam Caplan has the Bengals selecting Georgia standout tight end Brock Bowers with the 18th selection in his latest mock draft.
“The Bengals have not been able to fill their void at tight end adequately over the years, and Brock Bowers, if he makes it this far to them, would be tremendous value,” Caplan wrote. “The Georgia tight end has rare movement ability and acceleration for his position and would be an immediate starter for the Bengals.”
It’s pretty hard to argue against Bowers’ production at the collegiate level, playing 40 games and posting 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He’s a two-time College Football Playoff national champion in 2021 and 2022, a two-time John Mackey Award winner (2022, 2023) for being the best tight end in the country, and a unanimous All-American in 2023.
As a bonus, he’ll add to the SEC discourse in the Bengals’ locker room.
CONTINUE READING: Caplan’s Latest NFL Mock Draft
Dax Hill Prepared To Play Anywhere in Secondary
Bengals defensive back Dax Hill spoke with Bengals senior writer Geoff Hobson about fitting into any position in the secondary.
“Anything, to be honest. That’s my strength. I feel like that’s what God gave me and I’m just going to do that the best I can,” Hill said. “I can’t really predict the future. I can control what I put out on a daily basis. What I put out weekly. That’s something I try to do the best that I can. Whatever position that is going forward. I’m just going to do the best I can.”
Hill, a two-year pro, has played in 32 games, making 19 starts with 126 tackles (83 solo), six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
READ MORE: Chase Brown Weighs In on New Role