The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ohio State center Billy Price in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His injury at the combine doesn’t worry them.
The Cincinnati Bengals are keeping Ohio State center Billy Price in Ohio after selecting him with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Price, suffered an incomplete pectoral tear at the NFL combine in early March but should be ready for training camp in July according to his doctor. According to the letter that was sent out to teams about his injury, Price will have zero restrictions come training camp.
Price talked about his injury in one of the biggest stages of his life saying it was sickening. “It was sickening. You don’t think it’s going to happen to you. For that to happen at the combine on the biggest stage and the biggest moment of my personal life getting drafted, it was shocking.”
Leading up to the combine, Price had played an injury-free college career at Ohio State. He played in 55 straight games at both center and guard. He was known for being the strongest center out of the top three and looks to be a pillar for the Bengals offensive line in the middle. Even head coach Marvin Lewis said that Price could be a pillar in the building going forward.
NFL teams are being notified today that Ohio State OL Billy Price, who suffered an incomplete pec tear at the combine, is expected to be ready for training camp in July without restriction, per his doctor’s letter. pic.twitter.com/vYqmNlkUgu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2018
While many fans were hoping for either Arkansas center Frank Ragnow who went to the Detroit Lions at pick 20 or Iowa center James Daniels, there are many Bengals fans who are ecstatic to keep Billy Price in Ohio. There have been many reports that Price was their number one choice over the past week in the first round.
Even Price was surprised when he got the phone call from the Bengals.
Price: When phone rang I was like holy shit, it's Cincinnati. This is exactly what I wanted, to stay in Ohio and bring the Ohio State brand to Cincinnati. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) April 27, 2018
Price is expecting to start week one for the Bengals after former center Russell Bodine left for the Buffalo Bills via free agency. If Price can get back to full health like his doctor is saying he will be, Price could be a huge upgrade at center for Cincinnati after struggling there for the last four seasons. This is the next step in addressing a terrible offensive line showing in 2017 following the trade for left tackle Cordy Glenn.
Next: Bengals select Ohio State Billy Price at 21
Cincinnati traded back nine spots in the first round to not only acquire Cordy Glenn, a top left tackle in the league but now a top center prospect with their new selection. There are still offensive linemen that can help this team in the draft and we should see one or two more coming to Cincinnati over the next two days.