StripeHype
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
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) /

When selecting players in the later rounds of the draft, teams usually look for guys who can play on special teams, fill a specific niche on the roster, or have untapped potential. In the case of Chazz Surratt out of North Carolina, he has the ability to check all three boxes.

The North Carolina native is extremely talented. He entered the college ranks as a 5-star quarterback, which is no small feat. However, a thumb injury set him back.

Surratt spent last season signaling in plays on the sideline as a backup quarterback. This year? He made the rare transition to linebacker. He started off the season slow but has started to make a name for himself, catching the attention of NFL scouts. He’s already racked up 49 solo tackles, 5 sacks, and a game clinching interception in his early defensive career.

https://twitter.com/TarHeelFootball/status/1185572308431314945

The video above via @TarHeelFootball details the incredible transition Surratt has made in such a short period of time. The praise from his coaches should give Bengals scouts every reason to believe he still has more to show. At the very least he could contribute on special teams and be an emergency third quarterback in a pinch.

dark. Next. 4 smart destinations for Andy Dalton

The 7th round is all about taking chances and there may be no better prospect to take a flier on than Surratt.

Home/Bengals News