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Our friends at Big Blue View, SB Nation’s New York Giants blog, recently put together a seven round mock draft and it includes many interesting picks for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The mock draft starts out with Reuben Foster being selected by the Bengals in Round 1. That has proven to be the most popular mock draft selection for Cincinnati. In total, the draft nets the Bengals a linebacker, two defensive lineman, a wide receiver, three offensive linemen, three defensive backs and a highly-touted kicker. This mock draft hits on many of the Bengals needs, though it also overdoes it a bit on the defensive back front, giving the Bengals two safeties, which isn’t a position at which the Bengals need to add considerable depth.
Round 1, pick 9: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
Round 2, pick 41: Tim Williams, EDGE, Alabama
Round 3, pick 73: ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama
Round 4, pick 116: Will Holden, OT, Vanderbilt
Round 4, pick 138:Jarron Jones, NT, ND
Round 5, pick 153:Jeremy Cutrer, CB, MTSU
Round 5, pick 176: Collin Buchanan, OT, Miami (OH)
Round 6, pick 193: Tedric Thompson, FS, Colorado
Round 6, pick 217: Jon Toth, OL, UK
Round 7, pick 227: Jake Elliott, K, Memphis
Round 7, pick 251: Nathan Gerry, SS, Nebraska
What do you think? Is this a mock draft you’d be happy about? The fact that it starts out with three consecutive Alabama players is a bit much and unlikely when considering how many players there are from hundreds of schools in the draft.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski also recently completed a seven round mock draft and it hands the Bengals a different group of talent, starting with highly talented defensive end Jonathan Allen, also out of Alabama. About a month ago, no one thought Allen could fall to the Bengals, but, a recently announced shoulder issue could cause him to fall to the Bengals at pick No. 9.
The Pick: DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Jonathan Allen is a top-three prospect in this year's NFL draft class. But concerns about his lack of athleticism and surgically repaired shoulders may force a slight draft-day tumble. Teams weren't the only ones discouraged with his combine workout, though.
"I was pissed off and disappointed," Allen said, per AL.com's Matt Zenitz, "but it's part of the process."
A team like the Cincinnati Bengals should be waiting with open arms to secure a talent of this caliber despite these concerns.
Allen doesn't have the length the Bengals usually prefer in their defensive ends, and he's not a true edge-rusher. However, he can serve as a stout run defender who lines up as a base end on early downs and moves inside alongside Geno Atkins as an interior pass-rusher in sub packages.
Defensive tackles who can rush the passer are rare. Two of them on the same team is unheard of in today's NFL.
Here’s a look at the Bengals’ collection of picks in the full draft, which includes three defensive lineman, two offensive linemen, one linebacker, two wide receivers, one running back, the same kicker as the above mock draft, and a safety.
Round 1, pick 9: DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Round 2, pick 41: C Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Round 3, pick 73: LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
Round 4, pick 116: WR Chad Hansen, Cal
Round 4, pick 138: DT Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
Round 5, pick 153: RB Brian Hill, Wyoming
Round 5, pick 176: DE Deatrich Wise, Arkansas
Round 6, pick 193: OT Chad Wheeler, USC
Round 6, pick 217: WR Jehu Chesson, Michigan
Round 7, pick 227: K Jake Elliott, Memphis
Round 7, pick 251: S Mike Tyson, Cincinnati
I didn’t do a full seven round mock draft, but I did do a Bengals-only seven rounder of my own using WalkTheMock.com. For consistencies sake, I included Elliott in my mock draft, too, and started out with an Alabama player. Actually, it just worked out that way, but, I don’t object to either player. This mock is pretty balanced with five offensive, five defensive and one special teams player and seems to hit on all of the Bengals’ needs, other than offensive tackle, which isn’t addressed.
Pick | Player | Pos | College |
---|---|---|---|
1:9 | Jonathan Allen | DT | Alabama |
2:9 | T.J. Watt | EDGE | Wisconsin |
3:9 | Joe Mixon | RB | Oklahoma |
4:9 | Taylor Moton | G | Western Michigan |
4:31 | Hunter Dimick | EDGE | Utah |
5:9 | Artavis Scott | WR | Clemson |
5:32 | Jonnu Smith | TE | FIU |
6:9 | Richie Brown | LB | Mississippi St. |
6:33 | Ahmad Thomas | S | Oklahoma |
7:9 | Jake Elliott | K | Memphis |
7:33 | Nick Linder | C | Miami |
Which Alabama-studded mock draft do you like better? Do you think Memphis’ Jake Elliott could be the Bengals’ long-term answer at kicker, like these mock draft project?
Poll
Which mock draft do you like better?
This poll is closed
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15%
Mock 1: Big Blue View
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36%
Mock 2: Bleacher Report
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47%
Mock 3: Bengals-only Cincy Jungle