Bengals mock draft roundup: Offense dominates latest projections
The bulk of free agency is behind us, which brings the upcoming NFL Draft closer to the spotlight. For the Cincinnati Bengals, a few notable needs remain. Tight end, running back, right tackle, and depth on defense stand out as the biggest current roster holes. Pretty easy targets for any mock draft constructor. Let's round […]
The bulk of free agency is behind us, which brings the upcoming NFL Draft closer to the spotlight.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, a few notable needs remain. Tight end, running back, right tackle, and depth on defense stand out as the biggest current roster holes.
Pretty easy targets for any mock draft constructor.
Let's round up what the latest mocks have to say about how the Bengals should address the 28th overall pick:
NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah
Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
"Wright would plug and play at right tackle. Recent LT signee Orlando Brown Jr. is only 26 years old. Brown and Wright could hold down the bookend spots to protect Joe Burrow for quite a long time. Also, this pick would allow the Bengals to deal Jonah Williams for draft capital now that he has requested a trade." – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr.
Georgia TE Darnell Washington
"The tight end group as a whole is spectacular at the top, but Washington might have the highest ceiling. He wasn't used a ton in the pass game for the Bulldogs, as he had just 45 catches and three scores over three seasons. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, he ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at the combine, impressing NFL scouts, who think he could be much better at the next level. With Hayden Hurst gone in free agency, this is a clear need area for Cincinnati." – Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
CBS Sports, Pete Prisco
Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
"With Hayden Hurst gone, they have to get a replacement. Dalton Kincaid is an outstanding receiving tight end, which Joe Burrow needs in this offense." – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network
Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness
"The upside to Lukas Van Ness isn’t in his potential elite pass-rushing ability, it’s in his versatility. Van Ness is NFL-ready as he hails from the Iowa program, but he’s even more versatile than most at this stage of his career, learning to use his pass-rush moves and having a plan of attack from any alignment." – Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network
Of these four players, Wright seems like the most likely pick for the Bengals. They've never been shy about drafting tackles in the first round, and acquiring Wright right before the second round would be tremendous value. It would also allow them to unload Jonah Williams for another draft pick later on, having solidified both tackle spots.
Washington and Kincaid are both fascinating tight end prospects. If one of them is likely to be a Bengal, it's the latter due to production. Kincaid essentially carried Utah's offense to a PAC-12 title. His age and lack of blocking prowess, however, might hurt his chances of falling in the team's favor.
Van Ness is an interesting dark horse. The Bengals haven't drafted a defensive lineman in the first round in over 20 years, but picking so late can lead to all sorts of possibilities. Van Ness had an impressive combine performance, running a 4.58 40-yard dash and a 7.02 three-cone at just over 270 pounds. He'd provide a significant athletic boost on the edge.
