The day is here! The day we have all been waiting for, for months.
Today is the start of the NFL Draft. Some of us simply turn it on and watch the first couple of rounds, and others create thousands of mock drafts to see if they can even come close to guessing who their favorite team is going to pick. In the end, nobody really knows except the front office sitting in the war room.
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Though the Bengals already made a pre-draft trade over the weekend as they traded away their first round pick (#10) for All-Pro defensive tackle, Dexter Lawrence. Some say it was too steep, and others say it’s about time this front office made some sort of splash, showing they want to win right now.
Albert Breer has already predicted that he believes this isn’t the last trade for the Bengals. He believes they jump high for Joe Burrow and make another trade. Only question is: Do they make a giant trade back into the first round, move up, or maybe back into the second round?
For now, here’s my projection for the Bengals’ current draft picks.
Pick 41: Jacob Rodriguez (LB)
I’m sticking to my guns. This will be very interesting. In all of the mock drafts I have completed or have seen, the Texas Tech linebacker falls anywhere from 32-43. I say he falls to 41, and the Bengals pounce on the Red Raider linebacker.
Pick 72: Jalon Kilgore (S)
I’m going to stretch again. Ever since the combine, he has risen in the ranks. He filled perfectly into Nick Emmanwori’s shoes to become the Gamecocks’ premier safety. The Bengals added Bryan Cook a couple of months ago, but I’m not passing up on a big safety if I come across one.
Pick 110: Mikail Kamara (Edge)
Cincinnati lost Trey Hendrickson and Cam Sample, but they added Boye Mafe from Seattle. They are still down one defensive end. I’m going with Kamara with the 110th pick. With 2 sacks last season, 10 the year before, and 76% in pass rush and run defense, he would be perfect depth for the Bengals.
Pick 189: Pat Coogan (C)
Doesn’t happen often, but I’m going back-to-back Hoosiers here. There’s a reason they were National Champions. Ted Karras is very much still serviceable, but to plan for the future a bit, especially if Joe wants to continue playing several more years, let’s get him established with a new center.
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Pick 199: Eli Heidenreich (FB/WR)
Some people may think differently about another offensive player. I’m split. I think there are many other needs, but in a true best player available draft, Heidenreich would be perfect for the Bengals. They love the multi-faceted players. He is listed as a fullback on Pro Football Focus, but is listed as a receiver for Navy. He led the team in receiving yards.
Pick 221: Andre Fuller (CB)
Right behind linebacker, I believe cornerback is a major need for the Bengals. Though serviceable and good enough, the Bengals haven’t had a true, solid shutdown corner in a long time. If Fuller is available, he could slide right in, especially with the departure of Cam Taylor-Britt to the Colts.
Pick 226: Robert Spears-Jennings (S)
At this point, it would obviously be for depth, so why not? Again, I’m choosing best player available (BPA), and if he’s there, I’m taking him, especially in a weak area.
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It’s been a very fun mock season, and I believe these picks would truly help this team get over that hump to not only make it back to the playoffs but make it back to the Super Bowl. We are in for a very interesting NFL Draft. Make sure to send over your final mock drafts.
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