Bengals pass on Denzel Mims for OL help in Mel Kiper’s 2-round mock draft

The NFL Draft is just one week away, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper has a new two-round projection that sees the Bengals address arguably their two biggest needs.

Up first is none other than LSU Tigers signal-caller Joe Burrow, one of the best quarterback prospects in recent memory.

The Bengals are in a great position to reset their franchise and take the Heisman Trophy winner, who is the clear best quarterback in this class. Burrow should energize a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 1990. Now, can Cincinnati get anything in a trade for Andy Dalton, or will it cut him after the draft?

Taking Burrow at No. 1 is as easy of a decision as an NFL team can have, but things get significantly more complicated when the Bengals go back on the clock with the first pick in Round 2.

With likely several first-round prospects still on the board here, the Bengals choose to address the offensive line with Houston Cougars tackle Josh Jones.

The Bengals get back 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams, who missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury, so that fills the left tackle opening. But there are still holes at guard and right tackle. Jones started 45 games for the Cougars at left tackle, but some teams think he will move inside to guard. This would cap an ideal top two picks for Cincinnati.

Jones has had a wide range of projections, some even as high as 18th to the Dolphins, so this seems like a solid pick at 33rd overall.

Other prospects still on the board include Baylor Bears receiver Denzel Mims, USC Trojans tackle Austin Jackson, and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end A.J. Epenesa. Mims has been a popular mock draft target for the Bengals. He was previously coached by current Bengals receivers coach Bob Bicknell when the two were at Baylor in 2017.

Would you be happy with Burrow and Jones being the Bengals’ first two picks of this draft? Or would you rather see a different name in Round 2? Let us know in the comments section!