Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions

The Cincinnati Bengals enter Round 1 of the 2015 NFL draft with open minds and arms. 

Unlike past years, there isn't a glaring need on the roster. As owner Mike Brown and his staff always do, the focus at each pick will be on the next two to three years, not just immediate needs where the team can improve.

This happens to teams that are able to draft well many years in a row, including the Bengals. After next season, a number of critical contracts expire, so look for the front office to use Thursday and beyond as a way to plug future holes rather than immediate ones.

Before things get underway, let's take one last stab at a seven-round mock, keeping the above information in mind, along with prospect stock and value.

Round 1

Pick 21: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

The Cincinnati Bengals need to address defensive tackle at some point. While there's a lot of talent already on the roster, addressing the position at No. 21 gives the Bengals options for years to come.

Domata Peko is on his last legs, and Pat Sims is a situation player. Brandon Thompson and Devon Still haven't shown enough to have safe jobs, and Geno Atkins looked rough at times last year while coming back from a knee injury.

In other words, Texas' Malcom Brown makes sense, and the Bengals have already shown a strong interest, as ESPN's Max Olson captures:

"

Texas DT Malcom Brown working out for DL coaches of Lions, Colts, Bengals pic.twitter.com/KOSfwhBWhx

— Max Olson (@max_olson) March 24, 2015"

Brown forces a recognizable name off the roster but at the same time provides an immediate boost to the quality of the rotation. Down the road, he's capable of playing in an every-down capacity next to Atkins.

It's the sort of now-later thinking the Bengals need at a critical spot to thrive.

Round 2

Pick 53: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

Cedric Ogbuehi's stock is all over the place. As of late, he's emerged as a Round 1 contender, but a knee injury and concerns about his future ability at left tackle may force him down draft boards.

The Cincinnati Bengals won't mind scooping him out of a free fall, though, not after a solid collegiate career in which he looked on film like a sound right tackle at worst.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein offers a conclusion on Ogbuehi's stock:

"

NFL evaluators are very worried about Ogbuehi's core strength and ability to anchor in pass protection, but some of his anchor issues could be improved with technique work -- especially where his hands are concerned. He should be a plus run blocker, especially on stretch plays, but needs to add strength and work on technique if he is to reach his play potential.

"

Considering the Bengals are heading into a world of uncertainty at offensive tackle next offseason, Ogbuehi is a future-looking pick in the utmost sense, although he provides stout reinforcements as a rookie backup. 

Round 3

Pick 85: Za'Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky

At some point, the Cincinnati Bengals will need to add a defensive end to the mix to spark some competition. 

Michael Johnson is back, and both Will Clarke and Margus Hunt figure to see more playing time in the rotation, but someone like Za'Darius Smith may work his way into playing time as well on a situational basis. 

Smith is a force against the run and figures to excel there out of the gate. There's a place for such a player in Cincinnati, especially if the staff wants to get younger or provide serious competition. 

Pick 99: James Sample, S, Louisville

Many will point to Shawn Williams as a player who can one day take over next to George Iloka on every down. 

It's a fair point, but there is no such thing as having too many quality defensive backs on a roster in today's NFL. ESPN's Louis Riddick loves what James Sample brings to the table:

"

"No safeties in this draft.". Yea ok. I will take James Sample/Louisville.

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 28, 2015"

Sample is a work in progress thanks to his lack of experience, but what he shows on film hints at major upside. 

In the third round, there's nothing wrong with grabbing a hard-hitting safety to let loose on special teams while he learns the ropes and provides competition down the road.

Round 4

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Pick 120: Nick O'Leary, TE, Florida State

The Cincinnati Bengals figure to scoop up a tight end at some point when the value is right.

In this scenario, the time is Round 4 thanks to the presence of Florida State product Nick O'Leary, whom NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compares to James Casey: "O'Leary has the competitive spirit and toughness that teams look for in a dual-threat tight end, but he lacks the physical traits. Based on how Florida State used him, he is an easy projection to an H-back spot where he should be an effective move-blocker and pass-catcher."

Fans will remember Casey as a guy who visited the Bengals this offseason. O'Leary is a great value and seems to fit just what the team wants from its backup behind Tyler Eifert.

Pick 135: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland

Let's double up on offensive weapons in the fourth round with the value being so great. 

What may develop into a historic wideout draft class pushes a talented name such as Stefon Diggs down the board. Cincinnati won't mind since he caught 62 passes for 792 yards and five scores last year and is a proven threat on kick returns.

As a rookie, Diggs will be a superb fourth receiver and returner who can grow into much more.

Round 5

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Pick 157: Jacoby Glenn, CB, UCF

It's all about upside when it comes to Jacoby Glenn.

He seems to have declared a tad early, but the raw skill set is in place for him to develop into an NFL starter one day.

While a bit thin at 6'0" and 179 pounds, Glenn's positioning, instincts and speed make him a rangy cover corner, as his numbers from college show, per CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler: "Has plus ball skills and uses every inch of his frame and length to get his hands on the ball with timing and forceful attitude. Highly productive the past two years with 35 passes defended and 10 turnovers (seven interceptions, three forced fumbles), starting 25 games and collecting a number of accolades."

Glenn doesn't have to do much as a rookie except develop while learning from veterans such as Leon Hall. He's a nice pick toward the future on the chance the coaching staff can unlock his potential.

Round 6

Eugene Tanner/Associated Press

Pick 197: Zach Vigil, LB, Utah State

The Mountain West's defensive player of the year is tough to ignore in the later rounds.

Zach Vigil is a producer with solid measurables and just what the Cincinnati Bengals may look for at linebacker this year. There are negatives, such as an inability to sniff out the run at a consistent clip, but as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller notes, the shortcomings are coachable: 

"

Torn between Bryce Hager and Zach Vigil in my lower-tier LB rankings. Lot of coachable positives with both.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 18, 2015"

Vigil will scrap for a roster spot as a sound special teams presence, if not make the roster outright in Cincinnati. With time, he has the talent to carve out a niche as a reliable backup.

Round 7

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Pick 238: John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State

With the way NFL teams burn through running backs, it only makes sense for the Cincinnati Bengals to add another one late in the 2015 draft. 

John Crockett makes sense so late thanks to a strong sense of upside created by his ever-churning legs, nose for openings and ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

Perhaps the biggest issue with Crockett is the workload he handled at North Dakota State. With the Bengals, though, he would only be asked to perform well on special teams and provide competition on the back end of the roster.

There are worse ways for one of the deepest teams in the league to spend its final pick, as Crockett at least has a chance of making the roster thanks to versatility.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of April 29 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.