Baton Rouge to Cincinnati: Bengals could form LSU pipeline

The Cincinnati Bengals are obviously interested in one LSU prospect, Joe Burrow. However, the team could select a number of players from Baton Rouge. 

The majority of the football world is in agreement that the Cincinnati Bengals will select Heisman trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow, reigning from LSU. While this is starting to seem like a given, the front office will have the ability to ensure a number of Burrow’s teammates are in stripes alongside him next year as well.

Most fans are aware of the potential to add one of two Louisianna natives, Justin Jefferson or Patrick Queen, at the top of round two. While many mocks feature the aforementioned players ending up in the Queen City, there is also a slight chance that edge rusher K’lavon Chaisson falls to pick 33. All three would certainly help kick off the Burrow era in Cincinnati.

Beyond that trio, however, there remain many more players that could make the trek north to continue their football careers.

If the Bengals really want to start generating some headlines, they could draft the recently declared tight end, Thaddeus Moss in the middle rounds. The chemistry with Burrow and legacy of his father, Randy Moss, would certainly get Paul Brown Stadium buzzing. Burrow seemed to give one of his favorite targets a shout out this week when he re-tweeted the graphic from Pro Football Focus below.

While each of these players carry quite a bit of name recognition, there is a class of LSU prospects that have flone under-the-radar. Regardless, there is a good chance they will garner the attention of Zac Taylor and his staff.

Center Lloyd Cushenberry’s fit with the team seems unnatural, given ownership just signed Trey Hopkins to a contract extension. Perhaps the big man up-front could move to one of the other interior spots for the Bengals. He has experience at guard, as he entered the college ranks there. The rapport he built with Burrow could help ease the transition to the NFL for both parties.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jacob Phillips and edge rusher Michael Divinity Jr. each present some upside in their own respect. Divinity Jr., in particular, seems to fit the mold of the type of player the Bengals usually love drafting. The Draft Network had this to say about him,

"Not a prospect who will go far away from the asking of the scheme. What’s designed for him to execute is exactly what he will attempt. Coverage drops are right where he’s expected to be and pass rushes are never extra unless unable to detach. When left unblocked on zone read schemes, he maintains square shoulders while refusing to bite during the process of the mesh between the quarterback and running back."

All in all, there are six LSU products beyond Joe Burrow that the Cincinnati front office could have interest in. With so many options expected to be available at all points in the draft, don’t be surprised if Tobin and company form a pipeline from LSU to Cincinnati.