Despite picking so late in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals could luck into an instant-impact starter if the board falls a certain way.
And it’s sure starting to sound like it might.
According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, three major names could tumble out of the first:
- Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
- Purdue DE George Karlaftis
- Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
The writeup:
“Three prospects I’ve heard who could fall out of Round 1: Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean, Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis and Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum. Dean is the most likely of the trio to still be a first-rounder.”
That’s a huge, huge deal for a Bengals team that could use a player like Karlaftis to come in and rotate at the edge right away, or even offer pressure while lined up inside after the loss of Lary Ogunjobi.
Linderbaum, who we’ve mocked to the Bengals often, would be the starting center right away and is the best in class at his position. Dean might be the least attractive of the three from a needs standpoint, but he is a three-down player who might have instant value as a blitzer.
It seems a little reminiscent of when Tee Higgins fell to the top of Round 2 and the Bengals got a Round 1 player who could be the No. 1 target on a team. If that’s the case and one of these guys falls, the Bengals will be much, much better for it.
