Just about every mock draft sees the Cincinnati Bengals selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first pick and for good reason.
But what if we experiment with the possibility of the Bengals trading down with the Miami Dolphins, who have three picks in the first round and who Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald thinks could pull the trigger and move up to No. 1?
That’s what this mock draft will look at. This is a seven-round mock for the Bengals in which they acquire all three picks (Nos. 3, 18 and 26) from the Dolphins, who had to move up from five, plus future assets beyond this draft. Let’s see what plays out.
To start, this is using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine. And yes, the draft did work out where the Dolphins select Joe Burrow at No. 1. With that, let’s get into it.
No. 3: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
If the Bengals do happen to trade down to No. 5 with the Dolphins, there’s still a good chance Herbert will be on the board and, if you remember back in January, Zac Taylor and the Bengals’ coaching staff got the opportunity to work closely with Herbert for a week at the Senior Bowl. Taylor raved about the work of Herbert throughout the week, so they’d be more than comfortable taking Herbert and landing some extra picks in the process.
No. 18: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Bengals franchised A.J. Green but his time is likely soon coming to an end in Cincinnati. Either way, the Bengals would want more weapons for their new quarterback (or Andy Dalton if need be) and Jefferson absolutely fits that bill coming from the high-powered LSU offense.
No. 26: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Rather than risk losing Queen in the time it would take to get to pick 33, the Bengals can afford to snatch up Queen here at 26 and fill a huge hole on the defense.
No. 33: Josh Jones, OT, Houston
The Bengals can start playing two young tackles on the outside with Jones and the returning Jonah Williams from injury.
No. 65: Robert Hunt, IOL, Louisiana
Cincinnati has major question marks on the inside of their offensive line, especially with Billy Price and Michael Jordan. Hunt is a dominant player and Joe Mixon would really have a stronger offensive line to play behind with Williams, Jones and Hunt.
No. 107: Alex Highsmith, Edge, Charlotte
Highsmith is one of the sleeper edge rushers in this class with a strong motor. Add him to a rotation with Carlos Dunlaps and Sam Hubbard leading the way and the Bengals can field a nice group to get after the other AFC North quarterbacks, namely Lamar Jackson.
No. 147: Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
Muse is an intriguing option and could help complement Jessie Bates and free-agent addition Vonn Bell. Muse is strong against the run, key in a division like the AFC North with strong rushing attacks throughout the division.
No. 180: Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
It’s not a strong tight end class but Bryant is one of the better ones in this class. He posted a 1,000-yard season for the Owls in 2019. The Bengals didn’t see much, mainly due to injuries, from last year’s second-round pick Drew Sample and they’ll eventually need to replace C.J. Uzomah. And of course, Tyler Eifert just got paid (surprisingly well) by the Jaguars. Bryant would be a solid check-down option for Justin Herbert.
No. 215: Calvin Throckmorton, OL, Oregon
The Bengals give Herbert one of his college offensive linemen in Throckmorton, who has played all over the line. He was also moved around during Senior Bowl week (coached by the Bengals).
One thing to remember is that these All-Star games and that exposure is now going to be relied upon heavily due to Pro Days being shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. So don’t be surprised if the Bengals (and Lions as well, for that matter) take a number of players that were at the Senior Bowl.
For the record, this mock has four players from the Senior Bowl, three of which (Herbert, Bryant and Throckmorton) would on the South team which was the Bengals’ squad. Jones was on the North team.
