Will

Clarke

The 2014 third-rounder was brought back after being cut right before the season opener to add depth, but Clarke has played just five snaps in the Bucs’ last two games.

The 2014 third-rounder hasn’t been able to find the field much through his first two seasons, playing just 143 snaps in 2015 after being in on 69 plays as a rookie. We’d guess Clarke makes the team, but the Bengals have flirted with veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney. Clarke and Margus Hunt need to step it up.

The 2014 third-rounder will try to stick around as a situational pass rusher. 2017 is Clarke’s age-26 season.

Clarke was a third-round pick in 2014. The Bengals held on as long as they could with him, but Clarke simply never developed into much. Clarke registered four sacks last season across 16 appearances.

Clarke’s 2014 Combine weigh-in was 6-foot-6, 271. The Bengals want him to be built more like Carlos Dunlap. The 88th pick in last year’s draft, Clarke played just 69 snaps as a rookie and has a questionable long-term outlook. After fielding one of the NFL’s lamest pass rushes a season ago, Cincinnati would get a nice jolt if 24-year-old Clarke were able to become a contributor.

Clarke (6-foot-6 1/8, 277) has great size and plays light on his feet. Carlos Dunlap has one of the end spots locked down in Cincinnati. Clarke will be in the mix for snaps at the other, along with Margus Hunt, Wallace Gilberry and Robert Geathers. Clarke and Hunt have the most upside but remain raw.

Clarke (6-foot-6 1/8, 271) ranked second in the Big 12 in tackles for loss (17) as a senior, adding six sacks. A high-ceiling prospect with a long, wiry frame, Clarke’s college tape was maddeningly inconsistent, but he is very light on his feet and looks like an NFL small forward on the field. He ran a 4.77 forty at the Combine with a 32-inch vertical and 22 reps on the bench. Clarke may need a year before he’s ready to contribute, but offers NFL starter potential as a left end. He’ll compete for playing time initially with Margus Hunt, Wallace Gilberry, and Robert Geathers. Carlos Dunlap has moved to right end.

An ex-Bengal who arrived in Tampa last year, Clarke embarrassingly led Bucs defensive ends in sacks with 2.5. He played 313 snaps. He will have a similar workload in 2018.

Clarke was the 88th pick in last year’s draft but played just 69 snaps, registering three tackles. The Bengals want him to get up to around 290 pounds. Clarke weighed in at 6-foot-6, 271 at the 2014 Combine. With the Bengals expected to release DE Robert Geathers and move RE Wallace Gilberry back into a rotational role, major snaps are available. Clarke and third-year DE Margus Hunt are unknowns to this point.