The Bengals stayed close to home Friday night in the second round of the NFL Draft when they opted for Clemson offensive lineman Jackson Carman's bruising strength in the second round.
The 6-5, 335-pound Carman, a product of the Cincinnati suburb of Fairfield, played left tackle the past two seasons but may well kick inside for his first pro assignment with what Ourlads Scouting Services calls "NFL ready power and strength."
The move came after the Bengals pulled off their fifth trade with the Bill Belichick's New England Patriots when they slid six spots to No. 46 in exchange for two fourth-round picks.
Look at another Cincinnati product, Pro Football Focus, and you can see why the Bengals are bullish on a guy that turned 21 only on Jan. 22.
PFF says he "carries 330-plus pounds easily. A naturally massive dude who can still move … Very flexible for his size …played his best football toward the end of 2020," with a star next to the Ohio State game.
Presented by Tide, the Bengals select OL Jackson Carman in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. See some of the top pictures of the Bengals second round selection from Clemson.
Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) celebrates with teammate Travis Etienne (9) after Etienne's touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson's Jackson Carman (79) congratulates Adam Choice after Choice scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. Clemson won 38-7. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney greets Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) back to the sideline during an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Clemson defeated South Carolina 38-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Clemson Tigers offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) stands on the field before the pro day event, Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Clemson, S.C. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri).
Clemson's Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass with blocking help from Jackson Carman (79) and Matt Bockhorst during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wofford Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Carman contributed right away in protecting No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence. As a true freshman, he played in 13 games with more than 200 snaps in a rotation. He moved left tackle for the 2019 season and started all 15 games before holding off Ohio State pass rush ace Chase Young in the national playoffs. He also helped Clemson back to the playoffs last year and was named a second-team All-American.
"While he may look like a guard — and could be a good one — Carman can move well enough at 330-plus pounds to stick at tackle in the league," is the bottom line assessment of PFF.
Although he didn't play guard at Clemson, Carman looks to have some versatility. Draft expert Tony Pauline says he "has the potential to be a solid starter at either spot. The discussion of where to place him revolves more around maximizing his potential."
Carman certainly knows where Paul Brown Stadium is. While at Fairfield Senior High School, Carman was ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the nation and the No.1 prospect in Ohio by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.
"Regardless of where he plays," Ourlads said, "he fits into a power blocking scheme right away and should be able to contribute in year one."
