The Cincinnati Bengals seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Focus makes sense. With a deep 2021 NFL Mock Draft full of offensive tackles, PFF projects the Bengals to take LSU wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, with the fifth pick in the first round. Cincinnati adds an offensive lineman in the second round.
Alex Leatherwood of Alabama has experience playing guard and tackle with the Crimson Tide. Leatherwood is a first-round talent in a year with multiple offensive linemen who are skilled enough to be taken in the first 32 picks in the NFL Draft. Getting help for Joe Burrow on offense will be the focus for Cincinnati.
Chase gets the Bengals another playmaker on offense. Burrow and Chase were exceptional in 2019 helping lead LSU to the National Championship. Chase had 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns with the Bayou Bengals in 2019. Burrow and Chase could be a lethal combination for Cincinnati.
Leatherwood was the 46th ranked tackle in FBS in 2020. The Bengals could move him inside where he could get acclimated to the NFL before potentially moving to tackle in 2022. Riley Reiff was signed to a one-year contract in free agency and is slated to play right tackle for Cincinnati in 2021.
The other five draft picks PFF projects to the Bengals Brady Christiansen who was the top-ranked OT in FBS at BYU last season, a defensive tackle, edge rusher, two WRs and a running back. The Bengals needs are nailed by PFF. If the Bengals are able to draft these positions they will have a good foundation for the future.