2017 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals 7-Round Mock Draft Post-Free Agency
The Cincinnati Bengals need to add both quality and depth on both sides of the ball in the 2017 NFL Draft, which they do in this 7-round mock draft.
Expectations for the 2016 season were relatively high for the Cincinnati Bengals following a career-year from Andy Dalton the season before and a playoff berth. Rather than compete for the AFC North crown, though, the Bengals were ultimately a shell of the team that many hoped or though that they'd be. And after free agency, they're definitely looking to the 2017 NFL Draft to help get back to form.
Free agency for the Bengals saw two key components of their offensive line walk away in Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler. What's more, they recently released linebacker Rey Maualuga. Both are areas that they need to address now, but the Maualuga release speaks largely to what the supposed direction of the Bengals will be in the 2017 draft.
This is a defense that has performed well for many years. With that being said, they're now a defense that's getting a little gray. They need youth, depth and impact players at a number of spots. So that's what they look to do in this mock.
With that in mind, here is your seven-round mock draft for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive back Solomon Thomas participates in a workout drill during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1, Pick 9: Solomon Thomas, EDGE – Stanford
There are a number of different areas that the Bengals could look with the ninth-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. They could indeed look to address a linebacker group that needs an influx of youth and athleticism. What's more, there's the potential to address the offensive line or even look on the interior of the defensive line. However, with Solomon Thomas falling down to them in the first round, they address a need while also getting easily the best player available.
In some projections, Thomas is going off the board with the No. 2 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers. While I think his hype may be slightly overblown, he's 100 percent a top-end of the first round type of talent. Though there were concerns about his size and frame coming into the Combine, he passed the test by measuring in at 6-3, 273 pounds.
When you watch Thomas on film and saw him at the Combine, though, you're presented with a player who has a versatile game coming off of the edge as a pass rusher. He's strong enough to bully tackles, but quick enough to beat them with his explosiveness. Even if I think that people read way too much into his film against North Carolina in Stanford's bowl game, Thomas is going to have a long successful run in the NFL. The Bengals would be lucky to add him on the edge where they need youth and an impact player, which is what Thomas can certainly be.
Jan 25, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo of Syracuse (17) runs a pass route against safety Obi Melifonwu of Connecticut (20) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2, Pick 9: Obi Melifonwu, SS – UConn
Though the Bengals have the free safety position locked down with the talented George Iloka manning the position. However, the strong safety has been an area that they've been lacking for some time now. Lucky for them, they'll have the opportunity to add one of the most exciting and unique talents in the 2017 draft class that fills that position. That player comes in the form of UConn safety Obi Melifonwu.
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Melifonwu was starting to get some buzz and traction in the draft community prior to heading to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. When you see a 6-4, 224-pound safety that moves as fluid as he does in the open field while also still packing a punch, it's hard not to at least be intrigued.
Then the Combine happened and now he may have more buzz than anyone in the draft not named Myles Garrett. Melifnowu absolutely lit up the athletic testing and put up eye-popping numbers across the board. He ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash, posted a vertical jump 44 inches (!!!) and jumped 141 inches in the broad.
When you take that type of athletic testing and place it alongside the player and the instincts that show up on tape, you're looking at a potential All-Pro type talent. Frankly, there's a good chance that the UConn safety doesn't make it out of the first round. If he's there for the Bengals in Round 2, though, it's too much value to pass up.
Sep 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet sits on the bench before the Panthers host the Youngstown State Penguins at Heinz Field. The Panthers won 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3, Pick 9: Dorian Johnson, OG – Pittsburgh
Perhaps the only reason that Pittsburgh Panthers offensive guard Dorian Johnson is still sitting around in the third round is the fact that there isn't a premium placed on interior offensive linemen. He started for three years for Pitt and helped pave the way for James Conner in one of the better rushing offenses in the ACC.
There's not much you can really pick apart when it comes to Johnson's game. While he may not be the overwhelming physical presence that another guard prospect in this class like Forrest Lamp is, he has tremendous size and a body that you want at the position. What's more, his tape shows an intelligent player who rarely doesn't get a good jump and hand-punch in the trenches and he's most often in control of the interior. He's going to be a fantastic addition to pave the way for Jeremy Hill up the middle—or any other potential running backs they may add to the mix.
With the departure of Kevin Zeitler in free agency, the Bengals lost what was truly one of their best overall assets. It's a tough pill to swallow and an even bigger hole to fill when it comes to their offensive line—especially coupled with the loss of Andrew Whitworth as well. However, Johnson should be able to come in as a Day 1 starter. While he might not be the stud that Zeitler was immediately, he'll be effective and Cincy's offense will enjoy having him up the middle.
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4, Pick 9: Alex Anzalone, LB – Florida
The fact that Alex Anazalone is sitting here in the fourth round is really a godsend for the Bengals. The release of Rey Maualuga showed that this Bengals team and the front office is interested in injecting youth at linebacker, a stance solidified by the signing of Kevin Minter. Anazalone would further that movement and in a promising way.
Maybe it's a plague among Florida linebackers, but there are injury woes that have followed Anzalone throughout his college career. When healthy, though, he's absolutely a complete player at linebacker. He can do it all in terms of the physical demands of the position. If he can stay healthy, this is an absolute coup in the fourth for Cincy.
Round 4, Pick 32: Jarron Jones, DL – Notre Dame
Admittedly, I'm higher on Jarron Jones than most experts. As such, I'll start with the negatives. There are concerns as it pertains to the Notre Dame product and they're warranted. He had a difficult time staying on the field throughout his time in South Bend. Perhaps as a result of that inconsistent playing time, his production was also never overwhelming.
But when you look at Jones just standing and even at times when he was on the field on tape, he's simply a physical specimen. He has uncanny size and quickness that blend together to make a potentially dominant force up the middle. Throwing him into the mix as a 4-3 tackle in Cincinnati might actually be a move that helps him progress in the long run.
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baylor offensive lineman Kyle Fuller speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5, Pick 9: Kyle Fuller, C – Baylor
As Cincinnati looks to get younger and re-tool in regards to depth on the offensive line, Kyle Fuller out of Baylor is an interesting prospect in that he plays completely raw despite experience. With the Bears in college, he got by almost solely by using his size. Perhaps it's impressive rather than a knock that he succeeded with that formula despite being well versed in his craft.
Measuring in at 6-5, 307 pounds, though, Fuller has the body of an elite NFL center at the very least. There are definite questions about if he'll ever learn the proper movements and techniques to be a center, especially considering that he's not like a new player just starting to play football. However, his size makes him work a shot.
Round 5, Pick 32: Sam Tevi, OT – Utah
With the loss of veteran Andrew Whitworth in free agency, the Bengals would surely love to bring in a starting left tackle right away. However, the problem with that is two-fold. For one, there may not actually be that type of offensive lineman in this draft class—in stark contrast to one year ago. What's more, they'd have to reach heavily at No. 9 to even have a chance at getting that type of player.
Instead, they wait and look to try and get a project that they could possibly develop moving forward. That's 100 percent what Sam Tevi is, in stark contrast to the tackle opposite of him at Utah, Garret Bolles. He's a big man with nice athleticism, but needs plenty of coaching in regards to technique, footwork and so on. Tevi definitely won't be a Day 1 starter, but that also shouldn't be the expectation in Round 5.
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs after a catch in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6, Pick 9: Ryan Switzer, WR – North Carolina
When you look at Ryan Switzer, there's nothing impressive about the wide receiver out of North Carolina. Measuring in at 5-8 and 181 pounds, that's not hard to imagine. But when you turn on the film and watch what he did in the postseason All-Star weeks and then at the combine, you see why there's a bit of buzz about the young man.
There may not be a better or crisper route-runner in the draft than Switzer. What's more, he has solid and shifty movements, though he's certainly not a burner with his speed. He's the type of receiver that will always be open on short or intermediate routes and has the sure hands to haul it in. Thinking of him as a complement to A.J. Green, it's hard to not love what Switzer would potentially bring to the Bengals offense.
Round 6, Pick 33: Javancy Jones, EDGE/LB – Jackson State
One of the things that the Bengals desperately need to value (particularly late in the draft) is versatility and athleticism. Though he's coming out of a small school, Javancy Jones is a player that is capable of bringing that to the table with the added benefit of solid upside.
Jones was very nicely productive throughout his time at Jackson State where he was largely a pass rushing specialist. However, he played at the East/West Shrine Game and saw time as a linebacker. He didn't overwhelm in that role by any stretch, but he showed the physical traits to be able to develop and potentially succeed. As a whole, he can develop behind the rest of the Cincy defense and potentially be a nice asset down the road.
Nov 19, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half defended by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back A'Shon Riggins (28) at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7, Pick 9: De'Veon Smith, RB – Michigan
With the departure of Rex Burkhead coupled with the injury histories of both Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati would be wise to try and nab an effective running back in the 2017 draft. Though he's not going to come out and be Ezekiel Elliott, De'Veon Smith is the type of player that can come in and serve a purpose—eating up carries and wearing down defenses.
At 5-11, 223 pounds, Smith can pack a punch and withstand contact in the trenches. What's more, he has a nice motor and keeps his legs churning through contact along with possessing an at-least solid ability to see and hit holes. What he isn't is a game-breaker, which is why he's available in the seventh round. Even still, he could be a nice addition as depth behind Bernard and Hill
Round 7, Pick 33: Jehu Chesson, WR – Michigan
The Bengals dip back in the wide receiver well again to end their 2017 NFL Draft, essentially just taking the best player available. While they have bodies at receiver, they could also use some depth and taking a late-seventh-round flyer on a player with upside is a solid option. Jehu Chesson out of Michigan is definitely that type of player.
Chesson had a bit of buzz after his 2015 season, but dropped off behind a more smash-mouth attack with the Wolverines in 2016. There's hope that he can regain his previous form as he has nice size at 6-3, but he's a project that is solely worth a flyer at this point.
