Pass rushing is one of the biggest needs for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 offseason. Cincinnati’s defense collected 33 sacks in 2016, good for 19th in the NFL. Only 18 of those came from defensive ends, making it one of the team’s most important positions this offseason.

The Bengals have one of the best defensive ends in the league in Carlos Dunlap, who notched eight sacks in 2016. He’ll likely line up on the the left side of the line again in 2017 and will be a force to be reckoned with. The questions begin after Dunlap.

Michael Johnson has been the starter since 2015 after a brief one-year stop in Tampa Bay. He only garnered 3.5 sacks in 2016 and is no longer the player he was during his first stint with Cincinnati. However, he be will penciled in to start again in 2017 if no changes are made to the roster at DE.

Wallace Gilberry and Will Clarke are also on the roster. Clarke made a big step forward with four sacks on the 2016 season and Gilberry was brought back midseason after he was cut by the Lions. They both will contend to get snaps in 2017, but aren’t likely to take over a starting job anytime soon.

The Bengals will have to address the need for a pass-rushing defensive end in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Depending on who is available at ninth overall, Cincinnati could have many top-tier prospects to choose from, or none. Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett should go first overall. Stanford’s Soloman Thomas will likely go right after him. If there’s a way either of those two fall to ninth, the front office would be remiss to not select them.

Tennessee’s Derek Barnett and Michigan’s Taco Charlton could be available when the Bengals pick at nine. Both players have the tools to be solid starters in the NFL and to give Johnson a competition for his starting job this offseason. They’ve already worked out Barnett, showing some interest in him pre-draft. And who wouldn’t want to root for a player named Taco? Charlton could likely fall to the late first round or maybe even the second round due to his inconsistent college play, but don’t expect Barnett to last long.

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If the Bengals fill another need at the top of the draft, there are second day prospects they could pick.

Kansas State’s Jordan Willis wowed scouts at the NFL combine. He is fast for his size and could be selected in a variety of places. His game will need to be refined as he transitions to the next level. He’s a prospect who could be enticing as a third-round pick.

Other potential picks include Auburn’s Carl Lawson, FSU’s Demarcus Walker and Michigan’s Chris Wormley.

Pass rushing is a must for the Bengals in the 2017 draft. They should be selecting one early with the potential to double dip later in the draft for a player that will be a developmental project as well.