The Cincinnati Bengals are a team thinking about a potential transitional year as they break in a new rookie passer and revamped roster after an uncharacteristically active trip to free agency.
But outside observers are free to ponder so much more.
Mock drafts are a prime example. While they’re way too early, it’s fun to think about the long-term rebuilding process around Joe Burrow.
Over at Draft Wire, Luke Easterling slotted the Bengals as picking fifth (based on current Super Bowl odds) and taking Miami Hurricanes star pass-rusher Gregory Rousseau.
Rousseau indeed figures to be one of the very top names off the board in 2021 after putting up 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last season alone.
On paper, the Bengals hope to be free enough to take a luxury pick like a pass-rusher next year because Jonah Williams’ debut could fix the offensive line. A name like Rousseau not only provides a massive boost to the pass rush, he provides some insurance against Carlos Dunlap’s age and the chance Carl Lawson leaves via free agency.
Again, it’s very early to be talking about mocks — but draft season is a 24/7, 365 thing these days and mapping out a blueprint for a Bengals team clearly on an upswing energizes the slow summer days before camp.
