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Stripe Hype

5 Linebacker prospects the Cincinnati Bengals can target in the 2020 Draft

By Hunter Bittinger

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pressures Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pressures Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to make a tackle during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to make a tackle during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Malik Harrison has bolted on to the scene for Ohio State the past two seasons. The 6’3″, 240 pounder has done it all for the Buckeyes, already racking up 41 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 2.5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. With stats like that, its easy to see he has a nose for the football.

Those numbers don’t tell the whole story, however. He has shown the ability to consistently perform in pass coverage, something the Cincinnati defense can’t claim for any linebacker on their roster. The team could certainly use someone with the size to stop the run between the tackles and athleticism to get out and cover.

Right now, he doesn’t have the hype surrounding some of the bigger names in this years pool of linebacker prospects. It’s definitely conceivable that Harrison could be on the board come day two. Things could always change, especially once scouts see what an athletic freak the Columbus native is at the combine. For the Bengals sake, they should hope he continues to fly under the radar, as he’d be a solid addition to their linebacker room if he can fall to them once they address other needs.

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