Reports: Stanford OT Andrus Peat unlikely to reach the Bengals

If the Cincinnati Bengals want an offensive tackle in the 2015 NFL draft, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat might not be an option to choose from. According to sources that spoke to Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, the St. Louis Rams could be eyeing Peat in the top 10. Pauline writes that "Sources say Andrus Peat won’t get past the St Louis Rams at 10 and could be selected even earlier. New York Giants perhaps?" Keep in mind that this is the same writer who stood by a source that claimed Cincinnati would release Carlos Dunlap last year.

On the other hand, there is some logic to that move. St. Louis could really use Peat, who would likely start immediately at left tackle, pushing Greg Robinson back inside to left guard. In March the Rams released long-time tackle Jake Long along with center Scott Wells, and badly need help along the offensive line.

Per SB Nation's Mocking the Draft and Turf Show Times, the Rams could be looking for an offensive lineman or a wide receiver. "If anything, the major thing to take away here is that there isn't really any consensus for the Rams outside of the positions mocked. Clearly, the needs on the line and at wide receiver are drawing first."

If the Giants take Iowa's Brandon Scherff at No. 9, Peat would be the best offensive lineman on the board for the Rams at No. 10. That's if he even makes it that far. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, "several" NFL personnel directors suspect the Jets are fond of Peat.

Several personnel directors who spoke to the Daily News believe that the Jets have an affinity for Stanford tackle Andrus Peat, who was one of the first players to make an official visit to the Jets’ facility earlier this month.

The 6-7, 313-pound Peat, who has 34 3/8-inch arms, is considered by many as the best pure tackle in the draft. He has the athleticism, agility and arm-length to play either the right or left side. The Jets could easily plug him in at right tackle on Day 1 and slide Breno Giacomini, who struggled in his first season with the Jets, to guard.

"Peat can start at either left tackle or right tackle," one personnel director said. "He’s a big man, who’s athletic and light on his feet. He’s a good run and pass blocker, but needs to get stronger. He struggles with the bull rush because his pads will get too high. At worst, he’ll be a Top 15 pick."

FOX Sports' Peter Schrager also reports Peat will be a top-15 pick, and that he's been told by, "multiple teams he (Peat) may be the most NFL-ready left tackle in this draft."

It must be noted that this is the point of the draft process when rumors and false reports run wild surrounding many draft prospects. But, when there's this much smoke surrounding one prospect, there's reason to believe there's some merit to it.

In other words, don't get your hopes up on Peat being on the board when Cincinnati is on the clock.

Does Cincinnati even want him?

According to one scout, Peat is extremely overrated. "I saw him get thrown around like a rag doll," the scout said via NFL.com. "I respect what people think about the guy, but every defensive player I saw against Stanford kicked the (expletive) out of the guy. If you're asking me who was the most overrated guy I saw, it was that guy."