Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions, Post-Combine
The Cincinnati Bengals finished the 2014 season with a very respectable 10-5-1 record. While the team did manage to reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, the Bengals also made an opening-round exit for the fourth time in a row.
While Cincinnati remains a young and dangerous football team, this is clearly a group that is still a few pieces away from true contention.
The Bengals will have an opportunity to add some of these pieces in the coming months, via both free agency and the draft. Though the team is likely to add at least one significant new piece in free agency, the majority of incoming long-term options will likely come through the draft.
With this in mind, and with the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine almost in the books, it's time for a new seven-round Bengals mock draft.
* Draft positions do not reflect compensatory picks, which have yet to be announced.
Round 1, 21st Overall
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DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
With starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth entering the final year of his current contract, a lot of mocks have the Bengals drafting his replacement in this spot.
I believe, however, that it is more important for Cincinnati to address its horrendous pass rush here. The Bengals ranked dead last in sacks in 2014 with 20 on the season. A guy like Clemson's Vic Beasley can help raise the production of the Cincinnati defense.
Beasley produced 12 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss last season, and ran a very impressive 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He is exactly the type of speedy edge-rusher that the Bengals could use on passing downs.
At just 6'3", 246 pounds, Beasley does project more as a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 end in the pros. However, one NFC East scout had the following to say, via NFL.com:
"I know everyone will have him pegged as a 3-4 edge guy, but I think 4-3 defenses would be crazy not to consider him as a WILL or SAM who can bump down as an edge rusher in third downs. Denver does it with Von Miller, so why not consider it?"
Round 2, 53rd Overall
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OT Jake Fisher, Oregon
The Bengals have another year to decide what to do with Whitworth, but a guy like Oregon's Jake Fisher is the type of developmental prospect that could make that decision a little easier.
Fisher is an athletic and well-conditioned tackle who could make the move to guard as a rookie with a little added weight (measured at 6'6", 300 pounds). There, he could learn from Whitworth and develop his skills as a pass-protecting tackle.
Fisher could also potentially move to right tackle should the Bengals decide to re-sign Whitworth or injury requires the move.
At the very least, Fisher would provide solid insurance for right tackle Andre Smith, who missed seven games in 2014 and is scheduled to join Whitworth in free agency following the 2015 season.
Round 3, 85th Overall
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ILB Ramik Wilson, Georgia
Starting linebacker Rey Maualuga is one of the pending Cincinnati free agents who needs to be replaced in either free agency or the draft.
There aren't a lot of inside linebackers who look like immediate stars in this draft class, but a guy like Georgia's Ramik Wilson could be an eventual replacement if the Bengals can give him time to develop.
Wilson is a bit undersized at 6'2" and 237 pounds. However, he was a productive starter with the Bulldogs and has a lot of production under his belt. Wilson racked up 110 tackles in 2014 and 243 total stops over the past two seasons. He also logged 18 sacks between 2013-14.
The Bengals will still want to address the position in free agency, as Wilson probably isn't ready to start on a full-time basis. However, he would be an interesting rotational player who could thrive on early downs.
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Round 4, 117th Overall
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WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina
Injuries thoroughly depleted the Cincinnati receiving corps in 2014, and the lack of depth there may have played a part in Cincinnati's early postseason exit.
Adding to the need at the receiver position is the fact that Brandon Tate and Dane Sanzenbacher are schedule to hit the open market.
East Carolina product Justin Hardy certainly isn't the biggest wide receiver prospect in the draft (6'0", 188 pounds), but he possesses adequate speed (4.56-second 40 time) and is a very reliable pass-catcher.
The Bengals appear to be set with A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu at No. 1 and No. 2 receiver, respectively. While Hardy isn't the kind of shifty, fast receiver a lot of teams want working out of the slot, his ball skills make him an intriguing No. 3 or No. 4 option.
Round 5, 149th Overall
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TE Wes Saxton, South Alabama
Former first-round pick Jermaine Gresham is also schedule to become a free agent this offseason. According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, the team will likely allow the tight end to walk.
According to Hobson:
"It looks like there is a very good possibility they won’t re-sign Gresham, but it’s not a pass catcher they need to replace. They’ve got that in Eifert. They’re going to need a big guy that can block the tall, lean, big pass rushers like Terrell Suggs. Gresham did a good job with that and I suspect they’ll have an easier time finding that guy in free agency rather than the draft.
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If the Bengals do look for an in-line blocker in free agency, targeting a developmental pass-catching prospect like Wes Saxton in the draft makes sense here. Saxton has the size (6'4", 235 pounds) and quickness (4.65-second 40 time) to be an effective downfield threat and would allow Cincinnati to create mismatches in two-tight end sets.
However, Saxton is likely to begin his career as a receiving-only tight end.
Round 6, 181st Overall
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CB Damian Swann, Georgia
The Cincinnati Bengals have drafted two first-round cornerbacks in the past three years (Dre Kirkpatrick in 2012, Darqueze Dennard in 2014) , but still have a need for depth at the position.
Georgia product Damian Swann (5'11", 180 pounds) is a fluid cornerback who can provide depth at the position. He also has the physicality and the length to excel as a bump-and-run corner and on special teams.
Swann, however, was not a ball hawk at Georgia (just five interceptions in three years) and is a liability in deep man coverage. Don't expect Swann to emerge as an immediate star, but he is the type of gritty defender who can find a role in defensive coordinator Paul Guenther's system.
Round 7, 213th Overall
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WR Darren Waller, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech product Darren Waller is the type of late-round project that is worth taking a chance on.
The 6'5", 241-pound pass-catcher has remarkable size and adequate speed (4.46-second 40 time) to emerge as a legitimate deep threat. However, he is extremely raw and had marginal production in college (just 26 receptions for 442 yards in 2014).
Waller likely raised his stock with a combine performance that included an impressive 11.35-second 60-yard shuttle run. This may push him into a higher round, though Waller is certainly worth a long look if he is still available when the Bengals make their final selection.
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