Cincinnati Bengals mock draft after first week of 2022 free agency

Round 6: Pick 209 – Jalen Nailor, WR (Michigan State) 

Cincinnati has one of the best starting wide receiver units in the league but they need to focus on building depth behind the big three. Jalen Nailor of Michigan State is a nice depth option for Joe Burrow’s offense.

This past year saw Nailor grab 37 receptions for 695 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs for him in Lansing. He wouldn’t be expected to be a starter for Cincinnati, but stepping in and making plays when the situation calls for it is why he’d be added to this team.

Round 6: Pick 226 – Brittain Brown, RB (UCLA)

As of this writing, the Bengals still have their three main running backs on their roster. Samaje Perine could be a cap cut at some point but Zac Taylor clearly likes him and might want to keep him around.

Even with that being the case, Brittain Brown was the best player available at this point of the draft, so Cincinnati snatches him up. Brown rushed for 615 yards and seven touchdowns last year in 10 games. He’s not much of a receiving threat and his best role is going to be as a third-string option, which he could fulfill in Cincinnati behind Joe Mixon and Chris Evans.

Round 7: Pick 252 – Chance Campbell, LB (Ole Miss)

With their final pick in this Bengals mock draft, the team goes with Chance Campbell out of Ole Miss. Campbell had 109 tackles and six sacks with the Rebels in 2021 through 13 games, so he’s clearly a solid player that could be had in the final round of the draft.

The Bengals’ linebackers played well in 2021 but Campbell offers an under-the-radar prospect who can make the position even stronger.

What do you think of this mock draft? Would you be happy to see the Bengals’ draft play out in a similar fashion?