The Cincinnati Bengals can go a lot of different ways to get an A-graded haul in the 2022 NFL draft.
And one of those ways is by lucking into one of the draft’s best offensive linemen at No. 31 before finding good value and production at areas of need like defensive back and tight end in the next few rounds.
That’s just what the Bengals do in a new mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
The Bengals start hot by landing Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum at No. 31:
“I know, I know. The Bengals added three key pieces already this offseason on the offensive line. The idea of using a premium resource for a fourth seems unlikely. But Linderbaum might be too good to pass up. Load up on blocking talent and sort it out in training camp.”
After that, the Bengals get Nebraska corner Cam Taylor-Britt in the second round, a bigger corner who ran a 4.38 and can rotate with Eli Apple.
They get Bearcats star Bryan Cook in the third round as a rotational safety and Virginia Tech tight end James Mitchell in the fourth round, a 6’3″ target with notable upside. Later in the sixth they add pass-rusher David Anenih, a guy they’ve had close contact with already.
This is one way to an A+ draft for the Bengals. Linderbaum is an instant starter and the fourth and final upgrade to the line. They get a rotational corner and safety capable of being starters in the long-term. They get the same at tight end with C.J. Uzomah gone. And they smartly add to the pass-rush with good value later.
