The best kind of depth in the NFL are players who play exactly like the starters in front of them. The less schematic change a coach has to make due to injuries or simply utilizing a rotation, the better for the team.
For a team as talented as the Cincinnati Bengals, more players who play like their current starters and key reserves would add to the talent level.
The big board A to Z Sports' James Foster has put together comes with NFL player comparisons for every prospect. Here are five players he compared to current Bengals players.
Laiatu Latu, ED, UCLA
Player comparison: Trey Hendrickson
The size and technical prowess of Latu is what makes him so similar to Hendrickson. Latu will win as a pass rusher with explosion, timing, and hand usage, much like Hendrickson does for the Bengals. Latu is projected to be drafted in the first round.
James' notes:
- Looks like he practices the cross-chop 100x every night before he goes to sleep
- Rapid hand quickness leaves tackles frozen
- A blur transitioning between moves & crossing the blocker's face
- Plays with relentless effort & pursuit to the QB
- Bounces off the LOS & forces tackles into oversets. Attacks the B-gap with a fluid inside counter
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Player comparison: Mike Hilton
Getting compared to Hilton is extremely high praise, and it matches with Sainristil. He's a hyper-active slot defender who packs a punch despite being undersized. He's also a ferocious team leader and captain. You can't describe Hilton any better than that. Sainristil is projected to be drafted in the first or second round.
James' notes:
- One of the hardest hitting DBs in college football
- Explosive driving on routes from off coverage
- Playmaker in zone coverage. Reads his keys & reacts quickly
- Comfortable turning around & locating the ball
- Physical & aggressive run defender
Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon
Player comparison: Cam Sample
Dorlus is long enough to play on the edge, but most of his production has come from inside. At 283 pounds, he's got the tweener label attached to him. Sample can relate as a heavy edge who's athleticism is best noticeable the closer he lines up to the center. Dorlus is projected to be drafted in the third round.
James' notes:
- Has the length to establish first contact & keep himself clean
- Effective club-swim move
- Had 6 batted passes in 2023
- Fluid mover. Slips around blocks & creates a moving target
- Uses a hesitation to set up his bull-rush
Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
Player comparison: Cordell Volson
Zinter is a tall guard who plays with power and aggression in a phone booth. That pretty much sums up the positives with Volson's game. Maintaining proper pad level is something Volson still struggles with, and it's going to be a focus for Zinter at the next level as well. Zinter is projected to be drafted in the fourth or fifth round.
James' notes:
- Above average play strength & stopping power
- Looks for work & finishes adjacent blocks in pass protection
- Effective puller with outstanding target location
- Can drive stationary targets off the LOS
- Punches with tight elbows & hands inside
Brennan Jackson, ED, Washington State
Player comparison: Sam Hubbard
Jackson won't hear his name called early in the draft, but he's got good size as an edge-setting run defender with a tremendous motor running at all times. Those are the qualities that made Hubbard a starter and captain for the Bengals. Jackson is projected to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round.
James' notes:
- Thick build & above average play strength
- Stable run defender with the size to challenge blocks
- Wedges his way into gaps & impedes backside cutoffs
- Fluid shuffle down the LOS
- Uses a push-pull to control & shed run blocks
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