NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has the Bengals snagging Walter Nolen at No. 17
The Cincinnati Bengals need quite a bit of help. However, for the first time in quite a while, they aren’t highly expected to go offensive line with their first-round pick.
That will be addressed later in the draft, but for now, the focus should be on the defensive side. Although they could beef up that side of the ball in free agency, securing talent through the draft would be ideal for a myriad of reasons.
That said, the Bengals do just that in the recent mock draft of Daniel Jeremiah, an analyst for NFL Network. They select Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen. Here’s what was written on the rising star.
“Nolen is a dynamic interior disruptor. He would be a key part of a turnaround under new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden,” Jeremiah wrote.
Nolen spent his collegiate days split between Texas A&M and Ole Miss. He spent his first two seasons with the former and then his last one with the latter, ending his junior season with 6.5 sacks and 48 tackles, 14 of which went for a loss.
He was dubbed an All-American for his efforts as well. With three passes defended and two fumbles recovered, Nolen played a paramount role in the Rebels’ defense. Nolen showed enough to be a first-round pick, but whether or not he reaches up to No. 17 could be a completely different story.
The Bengals, without a doubt, need the help on their line, so hopefully this option is one pursued by the team’s front office.
