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Bengals: Four-round 2021 mock draft to address Cincinnati’s biggest needs

By Hunter Bittinger

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 20: Wide Receiver Alex Bachman #1 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons avoids a tackle by Cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr. #26 of the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium during the game on Bobby Bowden Field on October 20, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 38 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 20: Wide Receiver Alex Bachman #1 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons avoids a tackle by Cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr. #26 of the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium during the game on Bobby Bowden Field on October 20, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 38 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Projected to have a top-five pick, the Cincinnati Bengals address many of their biggest needs in this four-round 2021 NFL mock draft.

With Joe Burrow suffering a season-ending injury, the focus for the Cincinnati Bengals shifts from building momentum down the stretch of the current campaign to putting together a blueprint for the offseason. As things stand, the club holds the third overall pick in the upcoming draft and has plenty of flexibility when it comes to salary cap management. They need to utilize both avenues to inject a significant amount of talent and ensure the Queen City doesn’t witness another lackluster season.

The offensive line is obviously the elephant in the room but there are plenty of other position groups that are in dire need of reinforcements. Chief among the franchise’s biggest weaknesses are the EDGE and corner positions. Making matters even worse, Carl Lawson and William Jackson, the two best players at those respective positions, are set to become free-agents.

Cincinnati’s front office will need to map out multiple routes depending on whether they’re able to re-sign those two playmakers to long term deals. Even if they are able to secure commitments from the pair, they’ll still need to direct resources to give those position groups support.

Thankfully for the Bengals, the incoming prospect pool has plenty of players available that can come in right away and help the organization at their weakest spots, especially along the trenches. With a successful free agency period and smart drafting, Burrow and co. have a real opportunity to make a leap in 2021.