The NFL never sleeps. Now that the franchise tag window has opened and shut, the next big step is free agency, which opens in less than a week. The Bengals will have an opportunity to fill out their roster and make sure they don’t have any glaring holes by the time the draft rolls around in April.
Until the draft is actually upon us, though, you’re just going to have to settle for an endless stream of mock drafts.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid came out with a new two-round mock draft. In it, he predicted the Bengals will address the defense in the first two rounds, selecting a corner in the first and a defensive tackle in the second.
First, with the No. 10 selection, he predicts the Bengals select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
“Delane is my top-rated corner and would be the best defensive player available in this spot,” Reid wrote. “Considering that the Bengals gave up the second-most yards per game and the third-most points per game last season, this pairing makes a lot of sense. Delane is a sticky cover corner who can play man-to-man with ease, but he is equally savvy in zone coverage. With his easy movement, excellent hip mobility, and ball skills, he has the potential to be a true No. 1 corner in the NFL.”
This would very much be on brand for the Bengals. They’ve been big on corners in the first round for a long time. Cam Taylor-Britt took a big step back and is a free agent. The Bengals are currently working on extending both Dax Hill and DJ Turner, but there isn’t a ton of depth in the secondary.
If the Bengals continue to struggle at rushing the passer — and with Trey Hendrickson likely leaving in free agency, that’s a real possibility — having a great shutdown corner in the secondary could be a huge asset.
Then, in the second round, Reid has the Bengals selecting Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller.
“An explosive 3-technique is high on the Bengals’ wish list, and Miller is a potential-laden interior defender who didn’t get to show his true ability as an up-the-field penetrator in Georgia’s scheme. He has the potential to start very early in his career,” Reid wrote.
The Bengals haven’t had a consistent interior pass rusher since Geno Atkins hung up his cleats. They’ve tried the draft — McKinnley Jackson and Kris Jenkins — and free agency, but they haven’t been able to recreate Atkins’ production (not that he can be recreated).
The Bengals need help rushing the passer. They still don’t know what they have in Shemar Stewart, and the same really goes for Myles Murphy. If they can add someone who can win on the inside and collapse the pocket, stopping the quarterback from stepping up, it could ease some pressure on the secondary.
What do you think? Would you be satisfied with the Bengals heading into the third round with Delane and Miller added to the roster?
Sound off!
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