With free agency wrapping up, we can finally take a hard look into the draft.
Don’t forget – the Bengals traded down to 21st Overall, so let’s check the best options:
OG Isaiah Wynn
Wynn played LT at Georgia but with being shorter at 6’2 (and being a mauler type blocker),he was moved to guard at the senior bowl. He will likely stay at guard, but can play tackle. Wynn is the best option at 21. He has great technique in both pass and run blocking. He just needs to work on hand placement and moving his feet. But he absolutely has potential to be a probowl guard. And of course there’s the Georgia aspect; Bengals love Georgia players.
1,104 pass blocking snaps by Isaiah Wynn (at guard and tackle) since 2014.
4 sacks allowed;
2 hits allowed;
20 hurries allowed pic.twitter.com/BFKPiGafCz— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 25, 2018
OG Will Hernandez
Hernandez is a fan favorite at 21. He played with a struggling UTEP team, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is a BEAST. Hernandez might be the strongest guy in the draft (he had 37 reps on the bench press at the NFL combine that carried over to the field). He ran just about everybody over. Strong and extremely athletic, but Hernandez has some technique issues. Hernandez is a GREAT run blocker – just has to get lower and have better hand placement.
It’s the pass blocking where the technique is really an issue. Hernandez would not move his feet on contact, not have the best hand placement, and sometimes even lunged while attempting a block. That may work on some nobody in his college conference, but that won’t work against your everyday NFL defensive tackle. However, it’s all fixable. Just a matter of playing in some NFL games and getting used to the better competition. Once he gets the technique down, he’s gonna be a stud. His potential is crazy high.
Will Hernandez will make you love watching offensive line play (if you like football that is). The man is a stud. Plain and simple. #utep #NFLDraft
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 31, 2018
Though guard seems to be the obvious, when do we go the obvious? Let’s take a look at different positions and players as well:
OT Connor Williams
Okay I know what you’re thinking; We traded for Cordy Glenn, why would we take an offensive tackle?! Well, the Bengals still need a right tackle. Now, Williams probably can’t play right tackle, however, Glenn could possibly be moved to right tackle. He has the tools to play on the right and then Williams would finish up our tackle duo. I love Williams, and I hate to say it, but he’s not a great option at 21 anymore.
OT Connor Williams was bullied his whole life for being bigger than everyone else. Now, he’s the lineman with the “highest ceiling” of anyone in the NFL draft. https://t.co/RxPizEtTHM pic.twitter.com/1h9GVtiVrE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2018
OT Mike McGlinchey
Though he played left tackle at college, McGlinchey has the tools to play on the right side. He’s a great run blocker and very powerful. But word has it that the Bengals still like Fisher starting at right tackle next year, so drafting McGlinchey doesn’t make much sense.
Iron sharpens iron. Quenton Nelson working with Mike McGlinchey at Notre Dame pro day. pic.twitter.com/SOqRBK6l3w
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) March 22, 2018
LB Rashaan Evans
Bengals still have a hole at LB. Evans can play any linebacker position, so he’d be a great pickup. For during Burficts’ suspension, he could cover that spot and then rotate in anywhere. Plus – with Preston having a one year deal, he could replace him.
Great effort by Rashaan Evans to make a stop on 3rd & 1. Quick diagnosis & excellent tackle to stop the RB in his tracks. pic.twitter.com/FnLVz5WFq9
— Cathal Keane (@iamcathal) March 31, 2018
LB Leighton Vander Esch
Old school middle linebacker.. something the Bengals LOVE. Hard hitter, great instincts. However, outside of the 4 games he’d fill in for Burficts suspension, it’s hard to see him playing much else his rookie year. He’s just not a great coverage linebacker. Bengals need help in the nickel set and if the Bengals draft Leighton, that means Preston Brown is likely gone after this year. Remember, Preston, only has a 1 year contract – so it’s hard to see the Bengals drafting Leighton.
Leighton Vander Esch vs Oregon is one of the best five games I’ve seen from a 2018 prospect.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) March 26, 2018
Since it’s an even year, I gotta bring up a cornerback…
CB Jaire Alexander
All jokes aside, corner makes a little bit of sense at 21. It’s very possible Dennard walks next year. We know he wants to play on the outside, and from the looks of things, Bengals are keeping Kirkpatrick on the outside (based on how badly they overpaid him). That might mean Dennard walks in free agency and finds a team that lets him play on the outside. So the Bengals might have this “genius” idea of drafting him just so they can avoid next years corner issue.
Talent wise. Alexander is a good fit at 21. He’s 5’11, weighing in at 192. Good nickel size and well balanced in man and zone coverage. I’m not against this pick for the talent, but it would be a “future pick”. Bengals like to draft for the future, but one of these years we need to stop rebuilding and plug some holes for the upcoming year. Also of note: Bengals worked out Alexander after the combine.
With elite speed and agility, Jaire Alexander of @UofLFootball posted one of the most impressive #RAS at the Combine this season. pic.twitter.com/WsrCwejsCY
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 31, 2018