The Cincinnati Bengals have had a top-five pick in the past two drafts but that won’t be the case this year due to them winning the AFC North and guaranteeing themselves a home playoff game.
It’s a big accomplishment for Cincinnati but they still have a lot of needs to address when the draft does come around in April. It might surprise some people that the first three picks in this draft were spent on the offensive side of the ball but when I explain that two picks were on the offensive line, it makes sense.
The offensive line is what’s holding the Bengals back. If Cincinnati can fix their o-line this offseason, injuries are the only thing really left standing in their way of being a Super Bowl contender.
With that in mind, let’s get to the mock draft!
Round 1: Pick 26 – Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT (Ohio State)
The Bengals took a lot of heat for not drafting Penei Sewell in the top five last year but I’d say the selection of Ja’Marr Chase has worked out just fine. The offensive line still needs help, yes, but the team wouldn’t be where they are right now without Chase.
In this mock, however, the Bengals don’t pass on an offensive tackle in the first round, selecting Ohio State’s Nicholas Petit-Frere with the 26th overall pick. While Petit-Frere is a left tackle and projects as a starting left tackle, the Bengals would likely have him play right tackle since they already have Jonah Williams on the left side.
Fortunately, Petit-Frere does have experience at right tackle, meaning it’d be a perfect fit. If the Buckeye is sitting there when the Bengals are on the clock, it’d be hard to pass him up.