Bengals fan favorite NFL Draft target, Ohio native sounds totally on board with Cincinnati drafting him
The Cincinnati Bengals will be heavily investing in pass-rushers this offseason. Their most expensive external free agent? It'll probably be a pass-rusher. Their first-round NFL Draft pick? Could be the same story. It's a bit early to say if former Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer will be in that conversation for the 17th overall […]
The Cincinnati Bengals will be heavily investing in pass-rushers this offseason. Their most expensive external free agent? It'll probably be a pass-rusher. Their first-round NFL Draft pick? Could be the same story.
It's a bit early to say if former Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer will be in that conversation for the 17th overall pick, but he'll certainly be a name Bengals fan will know. Sawyer officially put his name on their radar this month with his iconic touchdown during the College Football Playoff.
Cincinnati is all too familiar with former Buckeyes taking back fumble recoveries for touchdowns in playoff games. Sawyer has drawn comparisons (accurate or not) to Cincinnati native Sam Hubbard for that exact reason, and with Hubbard potentially out the door the offseason, Sawyer could be pegged to take his place along the Bengals' defensive line.
It's something the 22-year old would be more than happy to have happen.
Following the Bucks' National Championship victory this week, Sawyer worked an afternoon at a local Raisin' Canes along with teammates Will Howard and JT Tuimoloau. Sawyer, who was born in Columbus, has only played football in Ohio. When asked if he'd like that to continue in the NFL, Sawyer made his response clear.
“As an Ohio kid and Buckeye, I’d love to play for any of the Ohio NFL teams,” Sawyer told media members on location. “My pitch to them would be that I’m a hard-working guy who will give his all for his team.”
Two of the 32 NFL clubs can make that happen for Sawyer, and one of them plays in Cincinnati. It does feel a bit destined to happen. The year the Bengals have a desperate need for pass-rushers, there's an in-state prospect worthy of an early pick who can carry the torch passed off by another local product.
The next three months will be critical in determining whether or not Sawyer is worthy of the Bengals' 17th overall pick. A to Z Sports' latest draft projections has him 61st overall, which would be a late second-round selection, but an elite performance at the NFL Scouting Combine may shoot his stock upward.
Wherever the Bengals rate him, Sawyer would not be opposed to moving a couple hours southwest to continue his playing career.
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