The Bengals have a major need at the linebacker position http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/randy-bullock-jersey , particularly those who are proficient in coverage. While one would hope that they attack this need in free agency and possibly in the early portion of the NFL Draft, one player alone isn’t going to solve the problem. Akron linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III could be an excellent addition for the Bengals later in the draft.Gilbert had five total tackles in Saturday’s East-West Shrine Game after a stellar week of practice, but the play that made him standout was the one he didn’t quite make. Gilbert read a running back screen and patiently waited before breaking on the ball. He jumped in behind a block and got his hands on the ball for what surely would have been a pick-six. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite haul it in.Though he didn’t make that particular splash play, but Gilbert is no stranger to defensive touchdowns. Gilbert has scored three defensive touchdowns in the 2017 season alone for the Zips.In his college career, the three-time All-MAC linebacker had 353 total tackles and 3 interceptions. His numbers dropped off after being moved to the strong side for his senior year, but his junior season was extraordinary. That season he had 141 total tackles http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/mark-walton-jersey , 9.5 TFLs, 7 passes defended, and 3 interceptions including one he took back for a 69 yard touchdown. Gilbert measured in at just over 6’0” and weighed in at 228 pounds this past week, confirming his stature does not match what a traditional NFL linebacker looks like. That couldn’t be more of a positive though. For far too long, the Bengals have been insistent on prioritizing size at the MIKE linebacker, specifically, and have seen that position never be properly filled as a result. Speed matters more than size in the NFL now http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/hardy-nickerson-jersey , and Gilbert looks to have plenty of that to spare. While he will not single-handedly change the Bengals defense, Gilbert is the kind of addition that could help transform the state of their linebackers.While the Steelers reached for a safety, the Bengals got a steal in Jessie Bates Before the Bengals and Steelers face off in Week 6, they already competed a little earlier this year, as both used an early draft pick to fill a need at the safety position. The early results greatly favor one team over the other. The Pittsburgh Steelers turned some heads when they selected Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Edmunds was not projected by anyone to be a first-round pick. The Steelers seemingly jumped the gun on a player who they could have gotten later to develop at a position where they could really use someone who could play immediately. As it turned out, Edmunds did get the call relatively early for the Steelers. Although the Steelers’ website does not list him as a starter, he has played every defensive snap over the last few weeks. Edmunds has looked pretty average and has 19 tackles and one interception to his name thus far.Jessie Bates just recorded his second interception of the year during the Bengals’ Week 5 matchup with the Dolphins and on is way to an elite grade from Pro Football Focus. Bates has impressed since day one with the Bengals http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/germaine-pratt-jersey , so much so that the team cut ties with veteran starting safety George Iloka. Bates has 32 tackles on the season and seems to be developing as a leader in the secondary. The Bengals actually traded down to get him — a move that drove many fans crazy, as there were good options for the team on the table. But in the end, they not only landed a good starting free safety, they were also able to move up in round three and get Malik Jefferson who has potential to develop into an exceptional linebacker. Steelers week is always exciting, but the chance for Bates to show the Steelers they made a huge mistake by not drafting him gives Bengals fans something extra to look forward to. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had questionable decision-making at times this season and the Bengals’ new “center fielder” could be poised for quite a performance in his first matchup with the team’s biggest rival.