Mock draft season is officially here. As the offseason progresses, I will be doing several of them, using various different mock draft simulators. My plan isn’t necessarily to make each selection based on what I would do, or even what I think the Bengals will do, but instead to look at many of the different scenarios that might end up playing out. Both in terms of potential player selections and in terms of the positions in general.
This first mock draft was done using the Fanspeak simulator. At this point in the offseason, my knowledge on the prospect pool is limited. I am largely going off of tape that I have watched on a handful of prospects, as well as the prospect games, like the Senior Bowl, NFLPA Bowl, and East-West Shrine Game. As well, it should be noted that the simulators, this early in the offseason, have a tendency to be a bit unrealistic at times. As things progress, this should improve, but for the tie being, bear with me.
Mock Draft:
- Rd 1: OT, Anton Harrison
Harrison is one of the top OT prospects in the draft. He comes with good length and athleticism, and has a frame that he can continue to add bulk to. Jonah Williams has been solid, but still hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Harrison could be the LT of the future. Or, if they keep Williams, Harrison could eventually replace Collins on the right side.
- Rd 2: TE, Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid is one of the better receiving TE’s in the draft, and this ability will have him drafted early, despite the deficiencies as a blocker. The Bengals haven’t had a receiving TE of this calibre since Tyler Eifert. Hayden Hurst did well last season, but is a free agent. Even if they re-sign him, a top tier receiving threat at TE should be relatively high on the priority list for the Bengals.
- Rd 3: DT, Calijah Kancey
Kancey is an undersized interior rusher, but his motor and athleticism make him a consistent threat, nonetheless. He shoots off the line and can penetrate gaps, blowing up runs in the backfield, and making life tough for opposing QB’s. His size does come with obvious limitations, and bigger linemen can sometimes snuff him out if he doesn’t penetrate quickly, especially on running plays. However, his pass rush ability from the interior is something that the Bengals have been missing since Geno Atkins’ departure.
- Rd 4: DE, Jose Ramirez
Ramirez is a bendy edge rusher who is able to turn the corner and get to opposing QB’s. He has plenty of developmental upside as a pass rusher, and his performance at the East-West Shrine game provided a glimpse of what he looks like at his best.
- Rd 5: C, Joe Tippmann
Tippman is a bit big for a C, but he comes with the strength to handle the biggest interior rushers. He also plays with a nasty mean streak, something Frank Pollack often emphasizes when looking for potential additions to his offensive line.
- Rd 6: WR, Tre Tucker
Tucker is an undersized receiver, but he brings something that the Bengals offence desperately needs: speed. Despite the size limitations, he showed out well at the Senior Bowl. At the very least, he could likely add to the Bengals offence as a gadget/rotational player, who can make plays with the ball in his hands and take the top off the defence.
- Rd 7: RB, Xazavian Valladay
The East-West Shrine Game is my only game exposure to him at this point. However, he was one of the few players who impressed on the offensive side of the ball, for either team. He seems a bit on the small size, but showed some speed and physicality. For the Bengals, Samaje Perine is a free agent, and Mixon is being labeled as a cut/trade candidate. Though moving Mixon doesn’t seem like a move the Bengals typically make, adding a RB late could still be a good option, given the recent success of late round RB’s. Finding a late round gem at the position would allow the Bengals to allocate more money to other positions in the future.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: swimfinfan (CC)