Bengals shocking mock draft selection from CBS Sports

Consensus NFL Mock Drafts have the Bengals selecting either LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase or Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. Shockingly, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports stated Cincinnati should select Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw. Consensus Mock Drafts have the Bengals drafting Sewell with the fifth pick.

Darrisaw is projected to be selected with the 13th pick by the Los Angeles Chargers. It is an interesting juxtaposition with ESPN last week suggesting a trade between the Chargers and Bengals that involves swapping first-round draft picks. The consensus big board has Sewell sixth and Darrisaw 15th.

What seems certain is that the Bengals will select an offensive lineman in either the first or second round. Cincinnati will likely select a second OL in the 2021 NFL Draft as early as the second round if they choose Sewell or another OL in the first round. It would be shocking and rock the draft if Cincinnati selects Darrisaw.

Prisco compares Darrisaw to Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs started all 16 regular-season games for the Superbowl champions during the 2020 season. Prisco stated that Wirfs was the best OT in the 2020 NFL Draft, but was the fourth selected player at the position. It’s unlikely Sewell could fall that far.

"Christian Darrisaw VIRGINIA TECH • JR • 6’5″ / 314 LBSPROJECTED TEAM PROSPECT RNK POSITION RNKCincinnati                         13th                       2nd“Most would take Penei Sewell in this spot, but I think Darrisaw will be the best tackle in this class. It’s a lot like last year when Tristan Wirfs was the best of the tackle group, but went last among the four taken in the first 13 picks.Darrisaw needs to get stronger in the run game, but this would allow them to move Jonah Williams to right tackle.”"

Some NFL Draft analysts have Northwestern OT Rashad Slater ranked ahead of Sewell. It is uncommon for Darrisaw to be ranked ahead of Sewell on mock draft boards. Slater is 10th on the Consensus Mock Draft Big Boards, but not a consensus pick to any team. The Atlanta Falcons pick fourth, one spot ahead of Cincinnati.

Who Atlanta drafts could determine the direction that the Bengals take. The Consensus Mock Drafts project Florida tight end Kyle Pitts going to Atlanta. That would leave Chase or Sewell for Cincinnati. Most mock drafts project Chase or Sewell going to the Bengals. Cincinnati is keeping their decision close to the vest.