It’s time to go mocking again. The Cincinnati Bengals are just weeks away from the 2017 NFL Draft. What they do could make or break the season. Here’s another look at a few possible moves.
This is my third Bengals mock of the offseason. Post-free agency moves and 3 weeks until the draft. This mock tries to predict what the team will do as opposed to what I want to happen (minus the kicker, you’ll see).
Round 1: Pick 9, O.J. Howard TE Alabama
I’m sold on this pick. Eifert is in the last year of his deal. I’m not so sure he’s worth big TE money if he can’t prove he can stay healthy. Howard can contribute right away and take some of the load off of Eifert.
Howard provides this offense with a new element in 2017. He runs like a receiver, but can also sit in and block like an old school tight end. Adding Howard allows Eifert more rest, so he won’t take as many shots (cough, cough…injury prone.)
I believe Howard can help Andy Dalton regain his 2015 form by giving him a big body to hit in the middle of the field. Let’s see what O.J. and Eifert can do together in 2017.
Round 2: Pick 41, Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma
The offense needs more playmakers. A lot of fans will clamor for a DE by round two, but the best player available route sends Mixon to The Jungle.
Here they take the best available running back to help shoulder the load. Gio is recovering from an ACL and Burkhead went to the Pats. Jeremy Hill needs some help. Mixon can step in right away and play the majority of snaps, letting Hill come in for the red zone, where he excels.
I don’t condone what Mixon did in any way. But, this is what I think the ‘team’ will do. This not what I would necessarily do.
Round 3: Pick 73, Tarell Basham DE Ohio
Without further ado, I give you a defensive end.
The Bengals attended Ohio’s pro day and undoubtedly had an eye on Basham. With 27 total teams in attendance, it goes to show that many teams had an eye on him.
Here you get a local guy at a position of need. Basham had double-digit sacks last year and although a tad shorter, he has the length the Bengals like on the line. Michael Johnson needs to play less in order to be effective. He no longer can give you close to 1,000 snaps and be above average.
Round 4: Pick 116, Josh Reynolds WR Texas A&M
Another pick I’m falling in love with. Reynolds is a big, long receiver, who can stretch the field and grab a jump ball.
Brandon LaFell was brought back, plus Tyler Boyd and Cody Core will have another year under their belt. It may not be the year to draft a receiver in the first or second round. Here they get a guy who could mold into a starter while giving them another target.
*Round 4: Pick 138, Carlos Watkins DL Clemson
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Here the team can pick up a solid contributor. The Bengals love taking linemen in round 4 (See: Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Clint Boling, Russell Bodine, Andrew Billings etc.) Doubling down on the defensive line isn’t a bad idea this year.
Watkins finished the championship season with 10.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Watkins could become what the Bengals hoped they were getting when they took Marcus Hardison.
Round 5: Pick 153, Julie’n Davenport OT Bucknell
Round five can provide solid rookie players. Recent years have given the NFL players like Trent Cole, Kam Chancellor, Grady Jarrett and Richard Sherman.
Davenport has the size. He had the longest arm span at the combine. But heralding from a smaller school, he could use some seasoning. Expect a draft and develop type lineman around this part of the draft.
*Round 5: Pick 176, Damontae Kazee DB San Diego State
Kazee met with the Bengals already. Even thought he played against lesser competition, Kazee is a complete ball hawk. He had 7 interceptions this past year as a senior. That eye for the ball is something that should help teams get over his small stature.
There is no need for an early investment in the defensive backfield. But expect at least one, probably more come draft day. It wouldn’t be a Bengals draft without a couple of DB picks.
*Side note: this year teams can trade compensatory picks, so the Bengals may package a few of these later picks to move up in rounds two and three.
Round 6: Pick 193, Zane Gonzalez K Arizona State
Do it, do it, do it. C’mon now. Invest in the kicker position. This is the one pick I desperately want to happen. Even if the team waits until their last 7th round pick, the kicker position needs to be addressed.
Gonzalez is the top kicking prospect this year. So the Bengals would at least have to use a 6th rounder to land him. At this point, I will be disappointed if the Bengals choose to keep their 11 picks and not select a kicker.
Gonzalez is a need in my opinion. Bullock did nothing to instill confidence in his abilities. I still have nightmares about Mike Nugent.
*Round 6: Pick 217, Corey Clement RB Wisconsin
The Bengals could use some more RB depth. Clement put up solid numbers for the Badgers and could be a solid special teams player in orange and black.
He rushed for 1375 yards and 15 touchdowns this past year. Unlike other RB’s this year, he shows little skill in the passing game where he totaled 29 receptions in four years.
Bernard is likely to start the season on the PUP, so the Bengals could use 2 picks at the running back position this draft.
Round 7: Pick 227, Josh Thornton DB Southern Utah
Look for a special teams contributor if the Bengals even hang on to these picks.
The Bengals are doing their due diligence on Thornton. Jason Marcum of Cincy Jungle wrote about their private workout on March 9th. Thornton will come in and compete with the likes of Bene Benwikere and KeiVarae Russell for a spot on the roster.
This is a draft that is prime for trading around to get better selections. I fully expect more than normal movement from the team this draft.
*Round 7: Pick 251, Sefo Liufau QB Colorado
Again, there’s little to no chance 11 rookies can squeeze onto this roster. Look for some movement involving these late picks.
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The team could potentially use a quarterback if McCarron is traded. If for nothing else, it’s a cool story with his family ties. Even if the team decides they are better off keeping McCarron, Liufau can compete with Jeff Driskel for the 3rd quarterback spot.