Newest Bengals assistant coach can help draft highly touted prospect with their first round pick
The Cincinnati Bengals made another addition to their coaching staff Monday with the reported hire of offensive assistant Jordan Salkin, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. Salkin has worked in the NFL and college previously, with his most recent gig as an offensive analyst for the Oregon Ducks. He's credited for primarily working with quarterbacks, but he […]
The Cincinnati Bengals made another addition to their coaching staff Monday with the reported hire of offensive assistant Jordan Salkin, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Salkin has worked in the NFL and college previously, with his most recent gig as an offensive analyst for the Oregon Ducks. He's credited for primarily working with quarterbacks, but he had an eye on the entire Oregon offense as well.
An offense that featured a future first-round pick, center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Powers-Johnson is widely considered not only the top center in this year's NFL Draft class, but the top interior offensive lineman overall. The Consensus Big Board has him 30th overall, and rumors from the Senior Bowl speak to him being a lock for the first round.
Powers-Johnson solidified his draft status with two dominant practices before getting injured:
"Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson seemed to be the favorite to be the first center off the board come April, and he proved that at the Senior Bowl. Powers-Johnson was dominant during one-on-one reps and continued to impress throughout the team drills. His being a true force in both the pass and run game will likely have him at the top of many team boards at the center position." – A to Z Sports' Destin Adams
Powers-Johnson already makes a lot of sense for the Bengals' 18th overall pick. They not only need a future replacement for Ted Karras at center, they could easily upgrade at left guard over Cordell Volson right now. Bolstering the offensive line is never a bad idea in the first place.
Since Powers-Johnson entered the draft as an underclassman, the Bengals have likely been catching up on scouting him throughout he last few weeks. They certainly noticed him working against the top seniors down in Mobile, but any added intel they can get would help put together their evaluation on him.
Salkin's title with the Bengals is not yet official, but all coaches are a part of the scouting process. His input on a player he's seen up close in practice and game action would be extremely valuable. He may also be able to speak to his character and other intangible aspects that plague many player evaluations for scouting departments.
The Bengals would be wise to value Powers-Johnson highly in the first place. If Salkin helps put the finishing touches on his profile, it may give the Bengals enough confidence to draft him in the first round.
Bengals draft target made himself plenty of money at Senior Bowl practices
His draft stock is soaring.
