2015 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Grades and Analysis

Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Dawson (47) during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

LB Paul Dawson, TCU

Earlier in the third round the Bengals teamed up two Scarlet Knights: Mohamed Sanu and Tyler Kroft. Later in the same round, the Bengals teamed Andy Dalton and fellow TCU product Paul Dawson. As soon as you turn on the tape of Dawson, you feel as though you’ve seen him play in stripes before. Paul Dawson is a clone of Bengals Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict. This is one of the many reasons why Dawson is my favorite Bengals selection this year.

Paul Dawson was easily regarded as the best inside linebacker heading into the draft , but do to his lack of speed his draft stock slipped. Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice was never regarded as a speedster, but when he touched the field he was unstoppable. Dawson plays the same way. Much like Burfict, when they are on the field these players play sideline to sideline and seem to be involved in every tackle.

Going into the draft, the linebacker position was full of uncertainty, but with the addition of Dawson, the Bengals now have one of the deepest linebacking cores in the league.

Selection Grade: A

Next: Round Four: DB Josh Shaw, Southern California