A late-season injury to quarterback Andy Dalton likely cost the Cincinnati Bengals a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl last season. The good news is that Dalton’s injury was minor and he should be back to the same form he played at last season when he was unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
The bad news is free agency wreaked havoc on the Bengals’ roster as it does any team that has maxed out its drafts and talent development. Their biggest loss is at wide receiver where they lost both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. They’ve brought in some free agents to help, but the draft will be the key for Cincinnati.
The Bengals are blessed with plenty of salary cap space and should be in good shape even after the draft. They really need to work that free agent market for wideouts because at their draft position, they should be going in other directions. Here is my Perfect Mock Draft for the Cincinnati Bengals.
To see every team’s Perfect Draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 24 – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
2015: 26 tackles, seven for a loss, three sacks, one pass defended, 6-foot-3, 294 pounds
Everyone is enamored by what Nkemdiche could be on the field in the NFL. Not every team is excited about what he’s done off it. But really all that is overblown, I think. The talent is there and if the idea of lining Nkemdiche up next to Geno Atkins and between Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson should make every offensive line in the AFC wake up in a cold sweat.
Round 2, Pick 55 – Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
2015: 152 tackles, 12 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, three passes defended, one forced fumble, 6-foot-0, 245 pounds
Brothers was the prolific tackler in college football last season and just in case you think that number might be inflated with assists, he had 73 solo tackles. He played both outside and middle linebacker in Missouri’s system and could be an immediate impact player at either of those positions, supplanting Rey Maualuga in the middle as a starter probably before the season’s over.
Round 3, Pick 87 – T.J. Green, Safety, Clemson
2015: 95 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, one sack, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds
The Bengals let Reggie Nelson walk in free agency and Green would be a quality replacement. He can play up close to the line and isn’t afraid to engage blockers. He can handle his own in coverage and has the size to match up to NFL tight ends and slot receivers in the middle of the field.
Round 4, Pick 122 – D.J. White, CB, Georgia Tech
2015: 33 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defended, 5-foot-11, 193 pounds
The Bengals already have a solid set of starting corners, discipline problems aside, but Adam Jones is getting a little long in the tooth. White is the perfect future replacement with good size, 4.48 speed and a 33-inch vertical.
Round 5, Pick 161 – Jaydon Mickens, WR, Washington
2015: 58 catches, 692 yards, two touchdowns, seven rushes, 44 yards, one touchdown, 5-foot-10, 174 pounds
It might seem a little late for the Bengals to address their wideout needs, but the draft falls how it falls. Mickens is a tremendous talent that has produced consistently for Washington over his four seasons. He’s got plenty of speed, putting down a 4.48 at his pro day and could be the slot receiver and multipurpose weapon the Bengals lost when Sanu left town.
Round 6, Pick 199 – Tyrone Holmes, OLB, Montana
2015: 87 tackles, 21.5 for a loss, 18 sacks, three forced fumbles, 6-foot-2, 253 pounds
Holmes projects as an outside linebacker in the pros but make no mistake, this guy can make a mess of things int he backfield. He was the D-I FCS Defensive Player of the Year playing defensive end for Montana, eating FCS competition alive. He’s a little short for that spot in the pros, but park him on a side as a blitzer and he can pay dividends as a rookie.
Round 7, Pick 248 – Mike Matthews, Center, Texas A&M
2015: Started 23 games, 6-foot-2, 294 pounds
Matthews is the younger brother of Jake Matthews of the Atlanta Falcons, the son of Hall of Fame guard Bruce Matthews and his cousin is Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. By God draft him.
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