The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most interesting teams featured in mock drafts this year.
For some, the obvious choice is mocking the Bengals to add a tight end to Joe Burrow’s offense after losing Hayden Hurst. For others, it’s again about protecting Burrow, especially with La’el Collins rehabbing a knee injury and the trade request from Jonah Williams.
But with the way the Bengals have adequately addressed all major roster holes before the draft, they are something of a wild card in the opening round.
That’s starting to show the closer we get to the draft, so let’s do a quick roundup.
Natalie Miller, Draft Wire
Round 1: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Round 2: EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
Quick Take: Pass-rusher remains a critically underrated need, so the Bengals get a really good one in the second here.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Round 1: DL Keion White, Georgia Tech
Round 2: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
Round 3: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Quick Take: A new name in Round 1, but not a bad one given the need for a pass-rusher. Safety seems unlikely, but the team loves its best-player-available approach.
Curt Popejoy, Draft Wire
Round 1: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Quick Take: The Bengals love their first-round corners, so don’t be too shocked. Smith is bigger and was productive, making him a fit.
Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, ESPN
Round 1: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Round 2: OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
Round 3: S Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
Quick Take: Corner and line help in the opening rounds, though more likely here might be a tight end or running back in Round 3.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Round 1: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
Round 2: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Round 3: OT Tyler Steen, Alabama
Quick Take: It doesn’t get much better. That’s a very disruptive pass-rusher, an every-down running back right away and help on the line.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Round 1: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Round 2: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Quick Take: Maybe the most popular scenario there is, it would certainly be hard to complain.
Ian Valentino, Pro Football Network
Round 1: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Round 2: DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Round 3: RB Zach Evans, Ole Miss
Quick Take: More of a defensive slant, but the team’s moves in free agency have made this a possibility, too.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
Round 1: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Quick Take: Kincaid is a superb pick if his medical issues fully check out.
