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Mock draft season is almost mercifully over.
While usually an informative tool rounding up the prospect stock market and a list of team needs, mocks have been rather timid for the Cincinnati Bengals so far because everyone knows they’re taking Joe Burrow.
Timid until now.
Over at CBS Sports, a live mock draft from a panel of experts has the Bengals securing their franchise passer of the future — Jordan Love.
Here’s how it got to this point. During the mock, the Bengals traded down with Miami, picking up No. 5. But at No. 5, the Bengals passed on Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, instead taking Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills.
The Bengals nab Love at No. 18, then add Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz at No. 26. They also apparently pounced on Cam Newton in free agency to give him a shot while Love develops.
Wow, right?
As Bengals undoubtedly understand now, the offensive line is an issue — but the team doesn’t fully agree. They like some of the developmental pieces like Fred Johnson and Michael Jordan. Selling out on a chance at a franchise passer to move down and select (and eventually pay again) two first-round linemen isn’t happening.
Newton in Cincinnati also isn’t happening, nor would the Bengals let Herbert — a guy they really like and coached at the Senior Bowl — slip past them if they for some reason did move out of the first pick.
Mercifully, the draft is almost here and Burrow getting his name called first will put an end to the speculation. While “what ifs” about a trade down are fun, they should probably be limited to the Bengals moving down for a historic haul and grabbing Herbert.
And even that will forever remain in “what if” territory by the time the draft arrives.
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