Oct 20, 2012; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) rushes the passer against the Texas A

When the offseason began, many believed the Cincinnati Bengals would look to add another pass-rusher with so many free agents on defense, but after re-signing Wallace Gilberry, Robert Geathers, and franchise tagging Michael Johnson, adding another defensive end became more of a luxury. James Harrison could be signing with the team soon, but they still may look to add another pass-rushing defensive end, and it could come in the form of LSU’s Sam Montgomery.

In an exclusive interview with Fansided, Montgomery revealed he has already met with the Bengals:

Some of the teams that I’ve met with are the Bengals and Chargers. I’ve also met with the New York Giants, talked to them a little bit, and the Vikings. A lot of teams are interested, but, you know, these last final months I really want to let people know what kind of person I am. 

Montgomery is a monster and was more productive than his teammate Barkevious Mingo who will be selected well ahead of him in the draft. The knock on him is that his ceiling isn’t as high as Mingo’s but that shouldn’t stop him from being a high second-round pick as he fits in just about any 4-3 defense in the NFL and can make plays now.

Montgomery was regarded as one of the top DE prospects entering the 2012 season, but saw his stock fall after he failed to live up to the hype (just 8 sacks), and according to scouts at the NFL Scouting combine, is now receiving negative endorsements form his former coaches at LSU, which is causing him to potentially fall well into the second-round, when he’s displayed the talent of a first-round selection.

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October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22) against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 44-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Per league source, Florida S Matt Elam is visiting the #bengals on Thursday

— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) April 9, 2013

Elam is coming off a highly-productive season where he totaled 76 tackles, 11 for a loss, four interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble. He’s projected to play strong safety at the NFL level. Elam could easily be had at pick #21, but that may be quite a reach according to NFL.com’s Josh Norris:

Few players put together a better highlight reel than Elam. He and Thomas are somewhat similar in that they possess less than ideal size for the strong safety position, but I feel more comfortable with Thomas’ tackling and positioning consistency on a play-by-play basis.Projection: Second round

In the meantime, with the definitive nature of the playoffs comes the definitive nature of the NFL Draft.  The Bengals will pick no sooner than 21^st at this point, which starts to bracket the players that will be available.  The current consensus among the draftniks is that the Bengals will select a defensive end with their first pick.  The fact that the Bengals are second in the NFL in sacks (47.0) not currently withstanding, the rationale behind this line of thought is that both Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers will be free agents at the end of this season.  While all efforts will be made to resign Johnson, Geathers will likely be let go to the open market.  Further, Wallace Gilberry was only ever supposed to be summer help, and though he has played admirably in the rotations where Jamaal Anderson was supposed to be on the field.  Acquiescing to the concept that adding a pass rusher for depth and to compliment the immerging Force of Nature, Geno Atkins, conducting an examination into the defensive ends that would likely be available to Bengals at the 21^st pick in the 2013 NFL Draft may offer greater validity to this prediction.

Oct 13, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Bjoern Werner (95) during the second half of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Sliders – Damontre Moore & Bjoern Werner.  The chances are slim for either of these two falling out of the top ten, let alone the top twenty, though its worth mentioning that either one would be a no-brainer pick for the Bengals should the unthinkable occur.  Werner, a German-born beastling, has only been playing the game of football for five seasons, but his instincts and power game are highly effective against both the run and as a pass-rusher, making him a clear every-down lineman. Moore led Texas A&M this season with 80 tackles, with a fourth of those for a loss, and had a great outings verses LSU andAlabama, two of the SEC perennial powerhouses.  His only criticism is that he may need to add a little weight, because at only 240 lbs, Moore may find himself man-handled by some of the larger offensive tackles in the NFL.  Regardless, it’s highly unlikely that either of these two will be available when the Bengals are set to pick.