Mock Draft 2013: Giving The Cincinnati Bengals An Offensive Tackle

As we pointed out earlier this morning, mock drafts carry a fragile relationship between current events, observations and prognostication. Right now the observation is that Andre Smith remains unsigned, so the Cincinnati Bengals will draft an offensive tackle to replace him. Many are applying this logic and for the time being, it makes enough sense until Smith and the team agree to terms (just don't tell us that Smith is unlikely to return).

Don Banks with Sports Illustrated composes his third mock draft of the season, drafting Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker (a popular tackle to Cincinnati).

Things look fairly straightforward for the Bengals. If they don't re-sign free agent Andre Smith, who hasn't exactly been snapped up during his stint on the market, then they replace him by targeting another ex-Alabama offensive right tackle. If Smith returns to Cincinnati, the Bengals could focus on Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro or a climber like Kansas State outside linebacker Arthur Brown.

Brilliant. Alternatives. Vaccaro and Brown are two favorites.

Earlier this month Banks selected LSU defensive end and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo.