Bengals Mock Draft: 7-round projection following NFL Combine

The Bengals go heavy on defense and in the trenches.

This is arguably the biggest offseason in recent history for the Cincinnati Bengals with several large contract negotiations approaching and in the works.

The Bengals have already placed a second franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins, though both sides continue to work on getting a long-term deal done.

While it may take several months, I believe they will ultimately get a deal done.

Higgins’ deal is just one of a few that fans and players are pleading to the front office to finish this offseason. There are still several other positions that the team clearly needs help with.

Pro Football Focus is one of a few sites that put a plethora of data and statistics into their mock drafts. Here’s how one PFF simulation went that I believe could work out for the Bengals.

Round 1: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

Nolen has been a clear choice by many for the Bengals. Outside of Trey Hendrickson, they lacked firepower all year long on the defensive line. With Sheldon Rankins not returning and BJ Hill also potentially departing, the team is left with McKinnley Jackson and Kris Jenkins Jr.

Nolen has the chance to be an immediate threat on this line.

Round 2: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

This is an aggressive second-round pick with other necessities on the table, but the linebacking unit is slim. Logan Wilson is coming off an injury-plagued season that was going poorly even before he went down. Germaine Pratt is requesting a trade, and it looks like Akeem Davis-Gaither could depart via free agency.

Thus, a linebacker is an underrated necessity for this team, and Schwesinger is one of the best in this year’s draft class.

Round 3: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State

The Bengals’ secondary was, at times, nonexistent. Maybe not necessarily always a player issue, and maybe a communication issue, but it still lacked. Vonn Bell was only on a one-year deal, and he wasn’t quite the same as he used to be.

Geno Stone finally showed up in the latter part of the season, and Daijahn Anthony still needs some fine-tuning. Ransom was a big part of the Buckeyes championship-winning team but helped provide some major help in the secondary.

Round 4: Willie Lampkin, G, North Carolina

Better late than never, and I can’t see them waiting this late for offensive line help, but this 290-pound guard could provide much-needed depth on the line. Last season was another where it seemed like Burrow was more often than not running for his life due to poor guard play.

Round 5: Tyler Cooper, G, Minnesota

If we waited this long, why not go back-to-back guard? Considering the offensive line doesn’t need much help, it definitely needs some fine-tuning, as I can see the Bengals replacing both guards and starting fresh on the interior. They’ve already cut Alex Cappa, and Cordell Volson shouldn’t be allowed to keep a starting job, even if he could be a nice backup piece.

Round 6: Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech

With Zack Moss getting injured last season, there’s a possibility he won’t return. In the middle of the season, the Bengals picked up Khalil Herbert from Chicago, and when given the chance, he proved worthwhile. The team still has Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans, but they still don’t have a clear RB2. Brooks could help solve that problem as a late-round pickup.

Round 7: Pick traded to Chicago Bears for Khalil Herbert

As I said, there are plenty of areas where the Bengals could use some bolstering, but hopefully, the front office can get deals done and utilize free agency so that the team isn’t relying on the draft.

Let us know what you think.