Bengals host Mississippi State offensive lineman Martinas Rankin for visit

The Bengals continue to meet with some of the top offensive linemen in this year’s NFL Draft.

The latest is Martinas Rankin, who visited with the Bengals on Sunday, according to Rotoworld’s Josh Norris.

Rankin is one of the more intriguing lineman in this draft, being that he was once projected to go high in Round 1 of this year’s draft. However, a high ankle sprain suffered early in the 2017 season led to him taking a step back in his senior season, though he still played well enough to be a First-Team All-SEC pick.

Rankin did so while starting at left tackle for the second-straight season, a position that the Bengals now have locked up with Cordy Glenn in the fold.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave Rankin a Round 2-3 grade and gave an interesting evaluation:

As a left tackle, Rankin will struggle with edge speed and as a right tackle he may have issues as a run blocker handling the power he will face. While he offers tackle flexibility and may get an early look at right tackle, his best position might be at center where his instincts and intelligence will stand out. The further Rankin kicks inside the better he will be. He may be average as a tackle or guard, but he could become a good NFL starter if he gets his shot at center.

The Bengals certainly need help at center with Russell Bodine now elsewhere, though I doubt they would move Rankin to center right away. If he does wind up on the interior of the offensive line, the Bengals do need an upgrade at the right guard spot.

Still, I think Rankin sticks to tackle and could give the Bengals depth at both spots while competing for the right tackle spot. His stock would be higher if not for the ankle injury limiting him this past season.

Here’s a list of the reported offensive lineman the Bengals have met with so far:

Bengals worked out Nevada OT Austin Corbett

Bengals worked out TCU center Patrick Morris

Bengals held workout at Notre Dame with OT Mike McGlinchey and hosted McGlinchey in Cincinnati

Bengals hosted Iowa center James Daniels for visit