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The list of needs the Cincinnati Bengals need to address in the 2022 NFL draft seems simple enough: Offensive line, cornerback and the pass-rush.
There are a variety of ways the team can go about addressing each, starting at No. 31 in the first round.
Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus just provided one interesting way for the team to get it done in his latest two-round mock draft. At No. 31, the Bengals land the best center in the class, Tyler Linderbaum out of Iowa:
“Linderbaum is arguably a top-10 prospect, but the problem is that there’s not a pressing need for a starting center across the league, especially within zone offenses where the Iowa product best fits.”
That lack of a need across the league gifts the Bengals a big win. While free agent Ted Karras was technically signed to play center, he’s actually graded out even better at left guard lately by PFF’s numbers. Linderbaum could start as a rookie with Karras at left guard, providing the Bengals an upgrade at all four needy spots on the line.
In the second round at No. 63, the Bengals grab defensive end DeMarvin Leal out of Texas A&M:
“The Texas A&M Aggie owns a 63.5 PFF grade from the interior since 2020 but an 83.2 mark from the edge. The problem is that he’s not playing on the edge at the NFL level at his size.”
That’s not as eye-popping but it might just be as important. The Bengals need another interior pass-rusher who can help B.J. Hill cover the gap left by the departure of Larry Ogunjobi. That he’s got experience playing inside and out will only be a good thing in Lou Anarumo’s multiple fronts.
As far as mock draft scenarios go, this one would be pretty hard to complain about for the Bengals.
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