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Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Paul Dehner Jr released his third mock draft of the mock draft season, sticking with the theme of offensive tackle. The Cincinnati Enquirer scribe sends University of Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers to Cincinnati with pick No. 21:
Flowers' buzz continues to grow as the draft draws closer, and many mocks have him rising into the top 15. He projects as the top run-blocking tackle in this draft, and you better believe that resonates in the office of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. He'll also be a huge fan of Flowers' intense attitude on the field. Jackson wants more physicality and nastiness between the lines, and Flowers became defined by that style at Miami.
This is the second time in three mock drafts that Dehner has selected Flowers -- his other pick was LSU lineman La'el Collins. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr didn't list Flowers in the first round of his latest mock, whereas Todd McShay sent him to Cleveland at No. 19. Our own SB Nation's Mocking the Draft has Flowers going No. 25 to Carolina.
The argument for offensive tackle is simple -- it's not so much the player, but addressing a position where three of your top offensive tackles are scheduled to enter free agency next year (and even if you sign everyone to extensions, you're still dealing with eventual turnover as a result of age).