Bengals take linebacker Germaine Pratt

The Cincinnati Bengals selected linebacker Germaine Pratt out of NC State in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 72nd overall.

The Bengals were in the market for a linebacker after releasing Vontaze Burfict.

Prospect profile

School: NC State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 240 lbs

Strengths

• Solid frame and athletic profile
• Great pursuit speed
• Great wrap-up tackler who's constantly finishing plays when in position
• Proven coverage ability either dropping back or lining up over slot
• Brings value with blitzes coming from second level

Weaknesses

• Must improve approach and technique in taking on blocks
• Often a step slow in making reads and getting downhill
• Lacks short-area quickness

Bottom line

Pratt is a highly productive college linebacker who profiles as a weak-side player in the NFL. He'll need to improve his ability to work through and shed blocks, and the instincts are still a work in progress, but that should come with more seasoning. Having only played two years at linebacker after transitioning from safety, Pratt is still relatively new to the position. With pursuit speed, the ability to consistently wrap up, and third-down upside both in coverage and as a pass-rusher, he could quickly settle into a valuable full-time role.