Bengals likely to look for an offensive tackle and run

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals went into free agency with explosive plays in mind — producing more of them on offense and allowing fewer on defense.

That overarching theme is expected to carry over to the draft in which the Bengals have the 18th overall pick and nine more in the remaining six rounds.

That could mean an offensive tackle who can help keep franchise quarterback Joe Burrow off the ground, a run-stopping D-lineman, a wide receiver or just the best player available.

Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II have been in the conversation as possible first-round picks for Cincinnati.

“We want the traits, and we want the intangibles,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. “And so, we’re really focused on trying to really get to the root of what makes a guy tick and how much he loves the game. It hasn’t changed. Every team is looking for the same thing, but you want guys with the intangibles to grind.”