Bengals 7 round 2021 mock draft with Sewell, Chase off the board

To put it simply, the Bengals need to add an elite offensive tackle this offseason. With the free-agent tackle class looking light outside of Taylor Moton, who very well could end up franchise tagged, the best route to accomplishing this task is in the first round of the draft.

WhoDey Nation will undoubtedly be disappointed about missing out on Sewell, who has been crowned by many as the best offensive tackle prospect to enter the league in years. However, if reports from Daniel Jeremiah are to be believed, Slater shouldn’t be viewed as just a consolation prize.

According to the NFL Network draft guru, some within the league may actually believe Slater is the better player out of the two. After all, he was the only lineman to go one-on-one with Chase Young and live to tell the tale, right?

When you consider Slater’s versatility as well, the intrigue surrounding the Northwestern product becomes even greater. With the ability to play either tackle spot, guard, or even center, he gives the Bengals the ability to plug him into whatever slot they need on their talent deficient line.

Slater’s smooth footwork, impressive athleticism, and knack for securing blocks at the second level make him an ideal piece to build around in the trenches.