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The Bengals added three starting-caliber offensive linemen in free agency. They should also jump at the opportunity to draft Linderbaum here. You can never have enough quality offensive linemen, and Cincinnati can plug in the Iowa standout at center and not have to worry about the position for years to come.

Zac Taylor has said Ted Karras will play center, but we could see the Bengals simply taking the best center and shifting Karras to guard based on the unforeseen circumstances unfolding here. A cornerback also could be a possibility.

The Bengals did a lot of work to their offensive line in free agency, including signing offensive tackle La'el Collins, guard Alex Cappa and interior lineman Ted Karras. I feel pretty good about that, so I'm focusing elsewhere: cornerback. Competition for Eli Apple and Chidobe Awuzie would be a good thing for Cincinnati, and McCreary is a feisty undersized corner with upside.

The Bengals' workmanlike defensive front could use another interior disruptor with pass-rush skills. Hall's energy and effort make him an intriguing option for a defense that wears opponents out with its physicality and relentlessness.

The Bengals have done an excellent job adding to their offensive line this offseason and they finally have assembled a unit that should give Joe Burrow time to throw the football. These additions in free agency allow the team to fortify their defense through the draft. Adding Kaiir Elam will give this secondary some much-needed length and athleticism--in a loaded AFC, you can never have too many corners.

Paul Dehner Jr.: The obvious quandary here is Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum still being on the board. But the Bengals made three additions to the offensive line in free agency, including adding Ted Karras and planting him at the center position. That's on top of the three draft picks they spent on the line last year. They finally feel comfortable enough to pass on the draft's top center. Instead, they fill the most glaring need on the roster at cornerback. Eli Apple is the current starter, but this pick would allow a first-rounder to come in and try to beat him out. The feisty, physical, playmaking Gordon would be an ideal fit in coordinator Lou Anarumo's system next to Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton.

Brugler: It feels crazy that the Bengals would pass on Linderbaum, but I agree with Paul. With the additions the Bengals have made on the offensive line, the target with this pick shifts to cornerback. But is Gordon worth a first-round pick? I have my reservations, especially after he fell short of expectations at the combine. Safety isn't an immediate need, but neither Vonn Bell nor Jessie Bates are under contract beyond the 2022 season and Georgia's Lewis Cine would be a great fit.

Cincinnati added three upgrades along the offensive line in free agency, which should keep the team from locking into a lineman at No. 31 overall. Veterans Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard have both played well for the Bengals, but the team overall still ranked 25th in team pressure rate in 2021. Hubbard also hasn't earned a 65.0-plus PFF pass-rushing grade in any year of his NFL career.