Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

Christian Gonzalez was a decent prospect at Colorado, but his lack of playmaking ability was a tad concerning. Gonzalez put those concerns to rest this past season at Oregon, when he recorded a team-high four interceptions to go along with seven pass breakups. The Bengals could plug in Gonzalez for impending free agent Eli Apple and not miss a beat.

Both starting safeties (Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III) for the Bengals will face free agency. Battle was considered a potential first-rounder last year had he left school early, but he used his senior season to become a better tackler and more reliable run supporter (he was already dynamic in coverage).

Johnson is a dynamic 6-foot-3 inch and 200 pound enforcer, long-limbed and tall in the defensive backfield. Johnson can blitz the quarterback, cover any type of receiver and make bone-jarring tackles in run support, he makes quick decisions and commits with measured abandon and ferocity that energizes his teammates. Like a coiled cobra, Johnson strikes without mercy or guilt.

Cincinnati doesn't have a whole lot of needs, so here's an opportunity to get even faster on defense with the addition of Simpson. He and Germaine Pratt would complement each other nicely.

Cincinnati was interested in Trey McBride in last year's draft, so perhaps they'll use an early pick on a tight end.

The next NFL tight end to come out of Notre Dame, Michael Mayer murdered opponents with high production over the middle of the field.

More secondary talent for the Bengals with Ringo, who's best in a Cover 3 role where he can focus on playing the football in the air.

Jessie Bates III's departure appears inevitable after the team issued the franchise tag last offseason, and Vonn Bell could also be headed out. Johnson isn't a one-for-one replacement for either player, but it's difficult to ignore the upside here given his versatility and penchant for making plays.

The Cincinnati Bengals will be entering their third offseason with concerns along the offensive line.

To be fair the unit is far better today than it had been during the previous two campaign. However, the group still isn't entirely settled. A selection of Georgia's Broderick Jones may finally provide the critical component to put this group on track for long-term stability and success.

"Jones is an extremely gifted player in terms of movement skills and power, with an imposing demeanor that will appeal to a lot of NFL teams that value traits," Thorn said. "Jones has obvious some rawness to his game that has resulted in a lot of clean losses and ugly reps. His relative inexperience (16 starts) is important to consider when determining how much stock to place in those lapses in technique.

"The 21-year-odl could benefit from returning to school for another season and has yet officially declare for the draft. Because of the relatively thin high-end talent among this specific O-line class, teams will likely be more liable to draft for upside at a premium position."

For the Bengals, Jones can immediately move into the left tackle spot, while Jonah Williams bumps over to the right side and replaces La'el Collins, who turns 30 later this year after suffering season ending ACL and MCL tears. Cincinnati can save $6 million by releasing Collins and designating him a June 1 cut, according to Over the Cap.

The Bengals have free-agent and performance questions in the secondary. Forbes is a playmaking corner (14 interceptions and six pick-sixes during his three seasons) who plays with swagger and confidence.

The Bengals haven't been shy about drafting first-rounders who may not be starters out of the gate. Harrison could allow the Bengals to kick Jonah Williams inside in time. He allowed all of nine pressures on 447 pass-blocking snaps this past season at Oklahoma.

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