Detailing the NFL Draft’s best available players for Day 2

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick, and now look to shoring up other positions.

If you believe everyone on the internet, if the Bengals don’t select an offensive lineman, Joe Burrow will break in half. So the Bengals will look to the offensive line, and fortunately there are plenty of options left.

The Bengals might want to try to trade up to ensure they get a good lineman. Even if they don’t, there will at least one option there by the time they are on the clock.

Best available players in Day 2

Offensive line

Since the Bengals need an offensive lineman, this should be the focus of their big board.

Teven Jenkins is the headliner of this group, and the Bengals should consider trading up to get him. There might be three teams in front of them wanting to draft offensive line, in addition to teams who are not far behind that will trade in front. The Bengals should be aggressive to get the guy they want.

Sam Cosmi is a tackle from Texas with promising athletic ability. The reason he has fallen to the second round has to do with his technique. If you subscribe to the importance of arm length, then Cosmi’s 33” arms might be a concern as well, despite his 6’6” frame.

If the Bengals want someone with experience on the interior, then Landon Dickerson from Alabama will be there. Dickerson is drawing comparisons to Frank Ragnow, who was in the mix for the Bengals back in 2017. However, his injury history is concerning, which is why he has fallen. He is coming off a knee injury, and even though he was able to take a snap in the victory formation in the National Championship game, he was unable to participate in the Senior Bowl.

Liam Eichenberg, a tackle from Notre Dame, could be on the board. Again, he has shorter arms than most team would like from their tackles, so he will move to guard when he gets to the NFL. But he is a promising prospect and is projected to be a starter by the end of the 2021 season.

Teven Jenkins is the number one offensive lineman on the board right now. Many thought he might go in the first round, so if the Bengals can find a way to get him in the second, that would ease those who wanted to prioritize offensive line over receiver. His pro comparison is Joe Thuney, who the Bengals failed to draw in free agency.

For those who didn’t watch North Dakota State in the last few years, tackle Dillon Radunz has a promising NFL future ahead of him. He will fit in the NFL as a guard, even though he was a tackle for the Bison. He is tough, aggressive, and even though he needs to clean up some technique problems, he would be a good fit for the Bengals.

Other positions

Just as a thought exercise, let’s look at who else is there that is not on the offensive line.

If the Bengals stay at number 38 and their ideal offensive lineman is off the board, then they may just want to pick the best player available. If that’s not an offensive lineman, then there’s plenty of other players in other positions that they could take.

If the Bengals want to help their defensive line, Azeez Ojulari is the top edge rusher in this class. While he might be slightly undersized as a tackle, his athletic abilities are top-tier. He could have gone in the first round, but if the Bengals think he is the best player available, then they should take him.

On the inside, Christian Barmore and Levi Onwuzurike could be available. Barmore was a projected first rounder, and could give the Bengals some depth at defensive tackle. Onwuzurike is another smaller defensive tackle, and could help ease the departure of Geno Atkins if the Bengals take him.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would not fill an immediate need, but would be an interesting pick. Though he is listed as a linebacker, his pro comp is Derwin James. Owusu-Koramoah is more of a safety-linebacker hybrid, which is something that defenses are valuing more and more as offenses become more explosive.

Other positions that aren’t needs include wide receiver, safety, and cornerback.

Terrace Marshall and Elijah Moore are exciting wide receiver prospects that were both fringe first rounders. Asante Samuel Jr. was also a fringe first rounder at cornerback. One final first round prospect that falls to Day 2 is safety Trevon Moehrig.