Way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft has the Cincinnati Bengals taking a chance in uncharted waters
We're still over two months out from the 2024 NFL Draft, but what's the harm in seeing what next year could have in store for the Cincinnati Bengals? The general feeling around this year is the Bengals will address the trenches with their first-round pick. It's a top-heavy class at both offensive and defensive tackle, […]
We're still over two months out from the 2024 NFL Draft, but what's the harm in seeing what next year could have in store for the Cincinnati Bengals?
The general feeling around this year is the Bengals will address the trenches with their first-round pick. It's a top-heavy class at both offensive and defensive tackle, and the Bengals are projected to be deprived at one or both spots when April comes around.
No matter the player's position, the Bengals almost never step outside the Power 5 realm with their first-round selection. Going away from that norm would be a shock to see, but there's a prospect worth going down that route next year.
A to Z Sports' Travis May put together his very first 2025 NFL mock draft earlier this week and matched Cincinnati with a former five-star recruit out of high school.
The catch? He plays for Conference USA's Jacksonville State.
Left guard Clay Webb started his college career at Georgia, a school the Bengals are very familiar with, and has dominated for the Gamecocks over the past two seasons.
Another solid year in 2024 can put him on the Bengals' radar with their first pick.
"Jacksonville State has a first round talent? Absolutely. Clay Webb was actually a five star recruit for Georgia at the start of his college career and has blossomed into a star interior offensive lineman. He's only given up two sacks on nearly 1500 snaps for Jacksonville State and will climb NFL Draft boards once scouts get more eyes on him. The Bengals desperately need to continue fixing their offensive line to keep Joe Burrow upright." – A to Z Sports' Travis May
Webb has been playing in the college ranks since 2019, the same year Bengals safety Dax Hill first played at Michigan. He could've declared for this year's draft, but COVID rules gave him another year of eligibility to boost his draft stock.
It'll be hard for Webb to top what he did on the field last year. He allowed just two pressures on 350 pass blocking snaps in all of 2023. Part of that can be attributed to him being a former SEC recruit playing among lesser athletes, but it's impressive nonetheless.
The Bengals are primed to address the right tackle position this year, but Alex Cappa and Cordell Volson will each enter the final years of their respective contracts next season. Webb could make sense as a long-term replacement for either one.
Post-Senior Bowl, Super Bowl Bengals 2024 mock draft has an ideal first-round fit
The offseason is in full swing. It’s time for mock drafts to fly.
