Cincinnati Bengals mock draft after first week of 2022 free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals made moves in the first week of free agency so what might a draft look like for the stripes now? Let’s take a look at the latest Bengals mock draft. 

This time last week, the first several big needs on the Bengals‘ offseason list were offensive line, offensive line, and offensive line.

In the first week of free agency, the stripes made waves along their o-line. They signed Alex Cappa to play right guard — a position that has been a revolving door for Cincinnati — and then followed that up by inking Ted Karras to a deal, pretty much ensuring that Trey Hopkins won’t be back in 2022 (unless a restructure takes place).

Cincinnati also re-signed B.J. Hill, Eli Apple, and Brandon Allen along with some lesser-known names. At tight end, they signed Hayden Hurst after C.J. Uzomah signed with the Jets.

With all of this in mind, let’s check out the first Bengals mock draft after week one of free agency is in the books. This mock draft was put together thanks to The Draft Network’s simulator.

Round 1: Pick 31 – Kaiir Elam, CB (Florida)

With the 31st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Kaiir Elam, a cornerback out of Florida.

As of this writing, the only cornerback move the Bengals have made in free agency is re-signing Eli Apple, who is good but not great. Apple shouldn’t be a starting option in 2022 and with Elam on board, he wouldn’t have to be.

Elam was best in zone and press coverage during his three years at Florida. This past season he had 29 tackles, five defended passes, and one interception through 10 games. A knock on him is his tackling issues but there’s absolutely potential for him to be a big name in this Bengals secondary.