With less than two weeks until the start of the most-unique NFL Draft we’ve ever seen, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the shape of the draft is beginning to take shape. Teams are jockeying for position throughout the draft and mock drafts for 2020 will be coming to a close (and mocks for 2021 will begin soon thereafter).
This particular seven-round mock draft for the Cincinnati Bengals will focus on the hypothetical situation that the teams trades out of the No. 33 overall selection. We’ll be using Pro Football Network‘s Mock Draft Simulator for this exercise.
No. 1 – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Teams such as the Miami Dolphins may still try up until the last minute to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick, but in the end, the Bengals are going to stay at the top and take the Heisman Trophy winner. And the team may have the luxury of letting Burrow develop and not be pressured into starting him right away, as Burrow (and literally every other player) have no idea when they will get to be back on the practice field. This is likely why Andy Dalton is going to stick around one more year as Burrow’s mentor and suddenly become the bridge quarterback in Cincinnati.
No. 39 (projected trade with MIA) – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Ironically, we are able to swing a trade with the Dolphins in this scenario, picking up Nos. 141 and 154 to trade back six spots and still get an offensive tackle to pair with the returning Jonah Williams and protect their future investment in Joe Burrow.
There is some buzz starting to grow that Wilson could land in the first round, especially if a run on offensive tackles begins. So this scenario isn’t bad at all for the Bengals to get a tackle and pick up a pair of Day 3 picks.
No. 65 – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
The Bengals have certainly attacked the secondary this offseason with the signings of cornerbacks Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes as well as safety Vonn Bell. However, a player like Chinn is one of those “positionless” players that the Bengals can move around, like a discount version of Isaiah Simmons.
No. 107 – Matt Hennessy, IOL, Temple
It’s a bit unlikely Hennessy falls this far, but this would be tremendous value for a team that needs help on the inside of the offensive line. Hennessy can help plug the hole at center and also has experience playing guard if need be.
No. 141 – Evan Weaver, LB, California
With the first of two picks acquired from the Dolphins on Day 3, the Bengals grab an athletic linebacker in Evan Weaver who, along with safety Ashtyn Davis, helped lead the charge for a strong California defense. His Combine performance didn’t do him any favors, but he’ll still be a solid football player for a team that takes him on Day 3.
No. 147 – Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
He certainly is not as talented as his football name by any means, but Moss can provide a good option next to C.J. Uzomah and would give Joe Burrow some familiarity, similar to what the Indianapolis Colts did when they drafted Andrew Luck and also took his Stanford buddy, tight end Coby Fleener.
No. 154 – Alton Robinson, Edge, Syracuse
Alton Robinson didn’t have all that great of a season in his final year at Syracuse, but he built his value back up during his time in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, including a breakout performance during the game itself. He can begin as a rotational pass-rusher, working in behind Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard.
No. 180 – Joe Reed, WR, Virginia
Reed will give a team value as both a receiver and in the return game. Reed put up very solid numbers for the Cavaliers last season and had one of the greatest careers for a returner in college.
No. 215 – David Woodward, LB, Utah State
The injury concerns are very real. Woodward has several concussions and dealt with fractured vertebrae in high school. If his medicals check out, Woodward can provide special teams value as an excellent tackler, including a 134-tackle campaign in 2018.
