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As we’ve stressed often, NFL mock drafts are only interesting for Cincinnati Bengals fans right now if they include picks besides Joe Burrow.
As if reading the room, ESPN’s Todd McShay includes the second round in his latest mock draft.
After writing up the Burrow pick and tabbing the LSU passer as someone who has “the makings of a future star in the NFL,” McShay gives the Bengals USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson at No. 33:
“Last year’s first-rounder Jonah Williams will be back after missing his rookie year, but that won’t entirely fix the Bengals’ O-line. Jackson can handle speed off the edge, which will help Burrow settle in with his new offense.”
The pick comes with a player like Cesar Ruiz, an interior lineman, still on the board. Baylor wideout Denzel Mims and Wisconsin edge rusher Zack Baun are still on the board too.
Even so, the prioritization here seems to be a premium spot at offensive tackle and that’s hard to complain about in front of Burrow.
At NFL.com, Lance Zierlein grades Jackson as a player who will be a starter within his first two seasons and writes the following:
“Early-entry tackle prospect who is raw but gifted and is likely to be coveted by a variety of teams, thanks to his true left tackle traits. Jackson has loads of athletic ability and play talent that is waiting to be developed and harvested. Inconsistent hand placement and footwork could be exploited early on if teams try and rush him into the starting lineup, but issues are correctable. He’s scheme-diverse with potential guard flexibility if he improves his strength. He could become an early starter but may offer a wider split between floor and ceiling than some teams might like.”
Jackson isn’t the flashiest by any means. Yet competition at right tackle for Bobby Hart is hard to complain about — as is surrounding Burrow with as much talent as possible after spending big on the defensive side of the ball in free agency.
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