NFL Draft 2017: Mike Mayock one and only mock gets a steal for Bengals

Mike Mayock released only one mock draft this year, and it came on live television on Wednesday night, exactly 24 hours before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft. The NFL Network draft expert was deemed Cincy Jungle’s most reliable mock drafter earlier this month. So, of course we need to take a look at his mock draft and see who he picked for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here’s Mike Mayock’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft:

1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2. San Francisco 49ers - Jamal Adams, S, LSU
3. Chicago Bears - Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
5. Cleveland Browns - Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina (Trade with Tennessee Titans)
6. New York Jets - O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
7. Los Angeles Chargers - Solomon Thomas, DE Stanford
8. Carolina Panthers - Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills - Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
11. New Orleans Saints - Charles Harris, Edge, Missouri
12. Tennessee Titans - John Ross, WR, Washington
13. Arizona Cardinals - Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
14. Philadelphia Eagles - Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
15. Indianapolis Colts - Derek Barnett, Edge, Tennessee
16. Baltimore Ravens - Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
17. Washington Redskins - Takkarist McKinley, LB, UCLA
18. Tennessee Titans - Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
20. Denver Broncos - Ryan Ramczyk, LT, Wisconsin
21. Detroit Lions - Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
22. Miami Dolphins - T.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
23. New York Giants - Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
24. Oakland Raiders - Cam Robinson, OL, Alabama
25. Houston Texans - Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
26. Seattle Seahawks - Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
27. Kansas City Chiefs - Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
28. Dallas Cowboys - Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
29. Green Bay Packers - Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jordan Willis, Edge, Kansas State
31. Atlanta Falcons - Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
32. Arizona Cardinals via New Orleans Saints - Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

For the Bengals, Mayock selected Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, who would almost surely be the best player available for the Bengals at that point in the draft. Reuben Foster, Charles Harris, John Ross and Derek Barnett are all taken in the six picks that follow, but, Allen does make sense, as a BPA selection. He’s thought to be more of a defensive tackle than end in the NFL, and the Bengals don’t really need another defensive tackle, especially this early. But, for a player as talented as Allen, the team would need to make room and figure out how to use the players they have (Marcus Hardison, Andrew Billings, DeShawn Williams) and incorporate Allen to make an instant impact. All things considered, the team’s Round 1 pick must make this Bengals team instantly better, and Allen should serve that purpose.

Allen won the 2016 Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Award as college football's best defender. In 2016, he tallied 69 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 1 interception (which was returned for a 75-yard touchdown) and 3 fumble recoveries, one of which went for a touchdown. The Bengals could certainly use that type of threat along their defensive line and Allen is not just a one year wonder as in 2015 he put up similar production with 36 tackles, 12 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss as well as 32 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 5 sacks in 2014 as a sophomore, his first year as a starter. Even as a freshman, Allen contributed with 15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. He has high caliber experience from Alabama and we all know the Bengals love Alabama (and all SEC) players.

Allen would be a can’t miss player for the Bengals should he remain available at pick No. 9. There were times this offseason that Allen was thought of as the No. 2 overall pick.

Allen's drop down in Round 1 began when news came that he had moderate arthritis in both of his shoulders. But, doctors have claimed his shoulders aren't an issue, including Alabama's team doctor Lyle Cain.

“Jonathan has really played without symptoms in his shoulders, and it's something that has not affected his performance or function,” Cain said. “It doesn't have to be treated during the season. And he's had a couple of great years. But he's played without any problems. This is something that a lot of offensive linemen and defensive linemen have, things guys play with their whole careers.”

Hopefully, if the Bengals are considering Allen, they’ve vetted his health and know what they’d be getting themselves into by taking a risk on his shoulders.

What do you think of the former Alabama stud?