The Cincinnati Bengals did a wonderful job of addressing their needs on the offensive line this offseason, adding three offensive linemen in free agency. Peter Schrager of NFL.com, however, doesn’t have the stripes calling it a day there.
In Schrager’s second mock draft of the offseason, he had Cincinnati taking Tyler Smith out of Tulsa with the 31st overall pick.
Schrager offered this analysis on why he went in this direction for Cincy:
"Smith is only a redshirt sophomore, but he’s viewed as having one of the highest upsides of any lineman in this class. In the offseason of “Protect Joe Burrow AT ALL COSTS,” Cincinnati keeps the theme going strong"
Bengals go with Tyler Smith in recent mock draft
If this selection were to be what happened in real life, Cincinnati would add competition to the left guard position. Many seem to think that job will be Jackson Carman’s to lose and if Smith were the pick, Carman still would have the edge.
Smith, however, would provide the team with a nice backup option at the position and he could sit on the sidelines and potentially serve as a backup guard if Carman struggled or was injured or if Alex Cappa had to miss time.
Left guard is the only position remaining on the line that doesn’t have a surefire starter. Carman is the favorite to win the job but it wouldn’t hurt to add Smith to the lineup and see if he can either light a fire under Carman or to go out there, wow everyone, and win the job himself.
Smith played left tackle at Tulsa but The Draft Network has his ideal role as a developmental guard and that’s exactly what strategy the Bengals would explore if this was the route they took on draft night.
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