SB Nation Mock Draft 2013: Bengals Select LSU LB Kevin Minter

Every week SB Nation's excellent Mocking the Draft offers up a new Mock Draft as the first-round draft order solidifies after playoff teams are eliminated every weekend. They've identified linebacker as one of the team's most pressing needs, especially with five players entering free agency in one form or another (unrestricted, restricted, exclusive-rights).

Last week it was Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown.

This week it's LSU middle linebacker Kevin Minter.

According to Pro Football Focus, current Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga dubiously finished this season as the worst middle linebacker in the NFL (among those playing at least 25 percent of defensive snaps). Minter would be an upgrade at the position in every way for Cincinnati. He's a fast, smart linebacker who can get after the ball in a hurry.

And we imagine each week after that will factor linebacker. At least until free agency comes around to completely upset the early mock drafts.

You can see all of the mock drafts that we've covered here.