The Bengals have again seen one of their 2017 draft picks poached from their practice squad. Months after the Eagles added Jake Elliott, this time a rookie offensive lineman will travel elsewhere.
J.J. Dielman will now take Trevor Siemian‘s place on the Broncos’ active roster, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com categorizing this move (on Twitter) as a “present and future decision.”
Like Elliott, Dielman was a fifth-round pick. The Rams claimed Dielman off waivers following the preseason but waived him later in September, leading to the Utah product’s three-month stay on Cincinnati’s practice squad. Prior to his Bengals selection, Dielman played guard alongside current Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles with the Utes. The Bengals did not make a move to promote Dielman in an effort to prevent this transaction. Dielman is listed as a guard but played right tackle and center over the past three seasons in Salt Lake City.
The Broncos placed Ronald Leary on IR this week and started Connor McGovern in that spot. McGovern and Max Garcia, a 2015 fourth-round pick, were drafted to play in Gary Kubiak‘s system. And the Broncos have been linked to Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, a first-round prospect.
So, guard appears to be a place with which the franchise is willing to tinker.