Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
The Cincinnati Bengals used the first round of the 2015 NFL draft to secure the future at offensive tackle with Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi, but what about the next two days?
Like the first round, coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals don't have any shortage of options to address through a long-term lens with so many impending free agents after next season—which is a big part of the reason Ogbuehi was the pick with Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith a member of that class.
Odds are the Bengals will stick to their guns and look for help from a pass-rushing standpoint as well as add another weapon or two on the offensive side of the ball.
If Thursday is any indication, though, the Bengals will take great value, if not the best player available, even if the prospect won't make an immediate impact.
Let's take a look at how the next six rounds might play out.
Round 2
1 of 6Pick 53: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
With help in the offensive trenches secure, it's perhaps time for the Bengals to look at the same area on the other side of the football.
Concerns abound. Devon Still and Brandon Thompson have yet to take the proverbial bull by the horns. Domata Peko's play continues to decrease. Geno Atkins was just another guy on the field at certain points last year.
It's rough the New England Patriots took Texas' Malcom Brown to finish off the first round, but with how the board continues to fall, Florida State's Eddie Goldman should be around.
He'd be a great pick, too, thanks to an ability to apply pressure up the middle when asked. Goldman is also stout against the run, so he's a welcome addition to a solid rotation who pushes younger players and veterans alike.
Round 3
2 of 6
Pick 85: Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State
Good news for the Cincinnati Bengals—no tight ends came off the board in the first round, which means a prospect such as Jeff Heuerman could make it to No. 85.
He's a steal there for a team in need of a backup to Tyler Eifert who can stretch the field. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein puts it best: "Heuerman's production fell off in 2014 after dealing with a foot injury and quarterback change. He is a vertical pass-catching tight end who can be moved all over the formation. Scouts seem to be unusually intrigued and excited about Heuerman's NFL potential."
Heuerman's addition would close the door on any chance of Jermaine Gresham returning.
Pick 99: James Sample, S, Louisville
Safety is another position the Bengals may want to address in the top 100.
For one, there's no such thing as too many good defensive backs on a roster. Two, Reggie Nelson is on the wrong side of 30, and there isn't a proven name after George Iloka yet.
James Sample needs work, with inexperience being the biggest knock on his stock. He'll get plenty in a Cincinnati secondary led by veterans as he waits a year or more to contend for a starting gig in a serious manner.
Round 4
3 of 6
Pick 120: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
The first round saw many wideouts come off the board; otherwise, the Cincinnati Bengals would have considered one before the fourth round in this scenario.
Stefon Diggs is a great value at No. 120, though. He looks the part at 6'0" and 195 pounds and is one of the best slot receivers in the class, which just so happens to be Cincinnati's biggest need in the wideout corps.
Diggs may not beat out Mohamed Sanu for the role as a rookie, but at the least, he will act as a reliable fourth receiver and contribute on special teams, perhaps careening Brandon Tate off the roster in the process.
Pick 135: Anthony Chickillo, DE, Miami (Fla.)
With an extra pick in the fourth round, look for the Bengals to add depth to the defensive line on the edges, where the team struggled last year with Margus Hunt hurt and Will Clarke not ready to shoulder the load.
While a bit of a tweener, Anthony Chickillo can find success with the Bengals in a rotational capacity. He's not a world-beating pass-rusher by any means, but his strength against the run can serve a purpose.
When the NFL sees a prospect with a lack of a true position, the coaches in Cincinnati figure to see a guy they can play to his strengths anywhere along the line.
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Round 5
4 of 6
Pick 157: Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan
Linebacker had to be in consideration for the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 21 given the talent that fell down the board, but the team perhaps made the right decision waiting.
Jake Ryan is hard to miss in the fifth round. He's a scheme-versatile prospect who holds up well enough in coverage and plays the run well, not to mention his leadership characteristics.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein sums up his strengths: "Transitioned from outside to inside in 2014. Highly productive downhill tackler. Has burst to the ball. Gap-responsible and tackles through his targets. Possesses straight-line speed to chase from sideline to sideline. Second-effort worker. Good in zone coverage. Team captain."
Ryan is the sort of player the Bengals need should the unit suffer a large amount of injuries once again. If not, he's still a great guy to have on special teams while developing.
Round 6
5 of 6
Pick 197: Damian Swann, CB, Georgia
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis loves his Georgia pipeline, so it only makes sense he'd dip into the well at least once this year.
Damian Swann is a natural fit in the sixth round, too. He's a bigger corner at 6'0" and 189 pounds who played all over the field at the collegiate level. This versatility is something the Cincinnati coaching staff will love to use.
Swann doesn't feature the bulk to move to safety as his primary position, which is fine. He's a chess piece the staff can develop and perhaps deploy down the road on a situational basis. Until then, he'd make a quality special teams player.
Round 7
6 of 6
Pick 238: John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State
It's impossible to ignore John Crockett in the seventh round.
Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals already feature Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, with Rex Burkhead as an intriguing third option, Cedric Peerman on special teams and James Wilder Jr. hanging around.
But there's no such thing as too many running backs, and Crockett is of particular interest at 6'0" and 217 pounds with film suggesting he can excel in the NFL in a three-down capacity thanks to soft hands and a sure one-cut ability.
There aren't many better ways to spend a seventh-round pick. Even at a loaded position, Crockett offers a skill set sure to have him in consideration for the final roster.
Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of April 30 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.
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