Cincinnati Bengals 4-round mock draft at the midway point

Bengals mock draft: Bubba Bolden, S, Miami (Fl.)

This pick may come as a surprise to many. With the best safety in the league, Jessie Bates III, and team captain Vonn Bell, safety seems like one of the Bengals’ most solid positions on the entire roster.

However, Bell has struggled in coverage for most of the season and Shawn Williams is likely to leave in free agency, meaning the Bengals may have a sneaky need for another safety on defense.

In his first six games of the 2020 season, Bubba Bolden has had 38 total tackles, four of which were for loss, one sack, one interception, three passes defended, three forced fumbles and he has even blocked two kicks. Long story short, Bolden can do it all. He has ideal size, solid instincts, and great coverage skills.

Bolden would not be an immediate starter at safety for the Bengals, but that doesn’t mean he would not contribute right away. Bates and Bell are set as the starters for now, but due to Bell’s coverage liabilities, he could be moved around to do different things.

Bell is best suited as a box safety. With a talented player like Bolden on the roster, the Bengals could afford to use the veteran where he belongs.