Now that the college football season has ended and the Bengals’ season is also over, it seems like a good time to check in on some mock drafts around the web. The Bengals have a very talented roster, but they do have a few areas of major need if they want to have a quick turnaround following back-to-back losing seasons.
The Bengals have recently spent two early picks on their current offensive tackles, but most of the mock drafts this week seem to address that area once again. It makes a lot of sense as Cedric Ogbuehi has shown no signs of being the future left tackle for this team, and Jake Fisher is dealing with a very serious health condition involving his heart.
The other major area of need for the Bengals is at the linebacker position, but the top of the draft doesn’t have many linebackers worthy of the 12th overall selection at this point, and none of these mock drafts have the Bengals taking a linebacker. One mock does have them selecting a defensive player, though.
CBS Sports: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
McGlinchey is ready to pave lanes for the run game in the NFL right now, and with some coaching, he can be a serviceable pass-blocker. Cincinnati’s defense is playoff-caliber, it just needs to control the line of scrimmage on offense like it did early in the Andy Dalton era.
Walter Football: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Tackle Mike McGlinchey is a strong possibility, but Derwin James seems more like the sort of pick the Bengals would make. Besides, it’s not like James wouldn’t fill a need. Cincinnati’s defense has not been the same since losing Reggie Nelson, so an upgrade at safety would take the stop unit back to a playoff-caliber level.
USA Today: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
An inability to provide consistent protection or open running lanes doomed Cincinnati’s skill positions from finding sustainable success. McGlinchey is well-rounded and experienced, though he might need time to adjust to facing the NFL’s elite speed rushers.
SB Nation: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Bengals have failed to fix their offensive line after using high picks on Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi. That could leave them looking at McGlinchey in the first round of the draft. He has experience at both left and right tackle, and would help upgrade the team’s pass blocking. Ohio State offensive lineman Billy Price could also be considered here to be the team’s new starting center.
Roto World: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
Taylor Moton earned high praise last year, but that was at right tackle. Okorafor is the one who locked down the left side for the last two seasons and played at a very high level. The Bengals need to self-scout and realize they need offensive line help despite spending high picks on those spots.
NBC Sports: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Despite a rough season, the Bengals kept coach Marvin Lewis. We’ll see what happens with quarterback Andy Dalton. The Bengals also lost a chunk of their offensive line in 2017 free agency.
Which of these players would you like to see in Bengals stripes?