Cincinnati Bengals updated NFL mock draft after first round
An NFL mock draft projecting how the Bengals will attack Rounds 2-7.
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have another blockbuster move on Thursday night as the first round of the NFL draft unfolded. Those Bengals , as expected, did not trade back up into the first round to compensate for the loss of the 10th overall pick while acquiring Dexter Lawrence via trade. And looking at the best prospects remaining, that’s probably a good thing.
Here’s an updated look at a Bengals seven-round mock draft, starting with Round 2, using the simulator from Pro Football Network . Round 2 (41): D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana There’s a perception the Bengals must draft a linebacker no matter what in the second round. But Lawrence’s addition in the trenches will really help the guys already on the roster.
More concerning is cornerback, where they have yet to find a nickel starter. D'Angelo Ponds could be that guy as a rookie, which means they would get to keep Dax Hill in his very natural-feeling starter spot on the boundary. Round 3 (72): Connor Lew, OC, Auburn Boring?
Maybe. But the Bengals need to start thinking about life after Ted Karras. Connor Lew is one of the supposed starting-caliber centers in this year’s class, so he might be able to help right away, if needed.