Top Big Ten draft prospects for Bengals fans to keep an eye on

Oct 23, 2020

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Offensive lineman Wyatt Davis #52 of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks off the field after his teams 29-23 loss to the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

Wyatt Davis (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Bengals draft watch: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State

The next player on this list may be my betting favorite to be selected by the Bengals in the upcoming draft. With the team’s aforementioned struggles along the offensive line, Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis would be a slam dunk pick.

While he plays guard as opposed to the more-valuable tackle position, Davis may just be the best offensive lineman in the upcoming draft not named Penei Sewell. A bully in the trenches with fluidity, power, body control, and an NFL bloodline, the redshirt junior could be inserted into the Bengals’ starting lineup from day one and immediately be their second-best player on the line.

Davis can fit into any blocking scheme the Bengals could ask him to play in. Regardless of who the team’s offensive line coach winds up being in 2020 (hopefully not Jim Turner), he would be an incredible piece to work with to protect Joe Burrow and open lanes for Joe Mixon.

The Bengals have not placed much value in the guard position in recent years, most notably shown by their failure to offer elite guard Kevin Zeitler a deal when his rookie contract was up, but that will have to change soon for them to protect Burrow. They can start taking the position more seriously by investing a top ten pick on Davis in the Spring.