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After we selected South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore with the team's No. 17 overall pick in the annual SB Nation mock draft, we decided to boost the offensive line with the team's No. 21 overall pick. With the No. 21 overall pick, we decided to select Georgia guard Cordy Glenn.
Heading into the 2012 season, one of the biggest needs for the Bengals was at guard. They lost Nate Livings and Mike McGlynn in free agency (which nobody is complaining about) and Bobbie Williams' contract is up. They addressed the position by signing free agent Travelle Wharton, who will likely start at left guard, but they still need help at right guard. Cordy Glenn could jump in and start from day one and give the Bengals one of the better offensive lines they've had in the last few years. If that offensive line could keep Andy Dalton protected and open holes for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the Bengals could find themselves pushing for a spot in the playoffs again in 2012.
Mocking The Draft's Dan Kadar weighed in on our pick as well, and he agreed with us, saying that it was a great pick.
If the Bengals go best player available with a loose association to needs, this is a great pick. Arguably the best players available are defensive tackles, which is the team's biggest area of strength. After that, it's Alabama's Dont'a Hightower, but the team already has a middle linebacker like him in Rey Maualuga. If that's the mindset the Bengals would have in this scenario, the choice would likely point to Glenn. This can be perceived as being early for a running back and there no linebackers that logically make sense. So with Glenn, the Bengals would get a plug-and-play guy who can start at guard and may be able to hold up at tackle. Great pick.
Based on the previous selections in this mock draft, which you can check out here, what grade would you give us for our selections of Gilmore and Glenn in the first round?