CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are down to just one draft pick unsigned after they announced agreements with second-round running back Jeremy Hill and third-round defensive end Michael Clarke on Tuesday.
Cornerback and first-round pick Darqueze Dennard is the lone unsigned player from this year's eight-member draft class as the Bengals begin their OTA workouts.
Hill, from LSU, was taken with the 55th overall selection and was the second running back selected in the draft. He averaged 6.25 yards per carry at LSU the last two seasons, setting a school record. At 233 pounds he is a power back in contrast to last year's second round pick, Giovani Bernard, whose ability to run and catch produced second-most yards from scrimmage on the team last year.
Clarke was drafted to be a potential replacement for departed defensive end Michael Johnson, who signed with Tampa Bay as an unrestricted free agent. Clarke has similar size (6-6, 271) as Johnson, and the Bengals believe he has the ability to develop his overall game as Johnson did over his five seasons with the team. Clarke also played inside as a defensive tackle at West Virginia. He was chosen No. 88 overall in the draft.
