Doing any mock draft is difficult, even if it’s just one round. So a tip of the hat to those that grind out a full, seven-round mock. That’s exactly what Jordan Reid of ESPN recently did (ESPN+). All 262 picks.
Let’s take a look at who Jordan sent to the Cincinnati Bengals, starting with a cornerback that’s becoming a popular pick at 31. (Notes come from either Reid or The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s draft guide)
No. 31 – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Elam paired with the Bengals with their first-round pick. And for good reason. Elam can easily win one of the starting outside jobs and finally give the Bengals some stability at the position.
Elam, who has gone under the radar in a loaded defensive back class, is a long and physical corner (6-foot-1, 192 pounds). He has easy movement skills, and teams will covet his length. He also has the ability to fight through the hands of receivers at “the moment of truth.”
Elam projects well into the Bengals’ scheme and would be a great supplement to a defense largely built through free agency. It wouldn’t be surprising if he goes higher than this spot, but landing with the Bengals is an ideal scenario.
No. 63 – Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
There’s no question Woods is a beast at 6’7″ and 253 pounds. Having that kind of size as well as the production Woods had (eight touchdowns and almost 600 yards in 2021; First Team All-ACC) can really open things up for this offense.
Woods has skyrocketed up draft boards because of his stellar measurables and testing numbers. He is raw but has a high ceiling. The Bengals lost C.J. Uzomah in free agency and have a hole at tight end.
No. 95 – Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana Lafayette
As Reid notes for this pick, “the Bengals have rebuilt their offensive line this offseason but now need depth there. Mitchell could serve as the swing tackle behind La’el Collins and Jonah Williams.”
Mitchell was a First Team All-Sun Belt in 2021 and was a three-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns’, mostly at right tackle. He would serve as a developmental tackle option.
No. 136 – Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State
Johnson played five years at Missouri State, taking advantage of the pandemic-related extra year of eligibility. He started 47 games for Missouri State and totaled 19.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. And remember that Missouri State essentially played two seasons in one calendar year with the 2020 season being pushed to spring 2021 and Johnson had 12.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks in those two seasons.
No. 174 – Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana
A three-year starter at Indiana, McFadden is coming off a strong final year in Bloomington, with 77 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles (all team leads) and three passes defended. Special-teamer and potential two-down linebacker.
No. 209 – Matt Henningsen, Edge, Wisconsin
Henningsen walked on to Wisconsin and became the first freshman walk-on to start a season opener for Wisconsin since at least 1990. He went on to play in 42 games (29 starts) and record 91 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and four passes defended in his career. Interesting note from Brugler: “NFL scout: ‘This kid is like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.'”
No. 226 (via NYG) – Isaih Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
Pacheco has overcome numerous tragedies in his life, with his brother, Travoise Cannon, stabbed and killed in January 2016 and his sister, Celeste Cannon, murdered in September 2017. He persevered and had a fine career at Rutgers, leading the team in rushing each of the last three seasons and totaling 2,442 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns with 249 yards on 47 catches with one touchdown in his four-year career at Rutgers. Pacheco ran a 4.3 40-yard dash in Indianapolis.
No. 252 – Quentin Lake, S, UCLA
Lake is a product of Mater Dei High School in Irvine, CA and was teammates with current Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and soon-to-be former Georgia transfer quarterback JT Daniels. He’s the son of All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl safety Carnell Lake, who played 12 seasons in the NFL (ten with the Steelers) and is now the defensive backs coach of the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits.
Injuries and COVID limited Lake to just nine games between 2019 and 2020 but he started all 23 games he appeared in 2018 and 2021 (missed one game due to injury in 2021). Lake led the Bruins in passes defended and interceptions in 2021.
