2020 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals 7-round Mock Draft
The Bengals have some work to do on the right side of the offensive line after improving their left side of the line in the 2019 NFL draft. Michael Jordan was drafted in the fourth round last year and has transitioned into the starting role at left guard.
Currently at right guard for the Bengals they have fringe starter John Miller and backup Fred Johnson in place. Adding a player like Harris will give them another guard/center who can compete for the backup spot and learn from Miller in his first NFL season.
Harris has excellent initial quickness to snap the football and get out of his stance, the Bengals can plug him in at center or guard depending on where he is needed.
Harris is strong in pass protecting, but his run protecting skills are weaker due to him having shorter arms. This may be a concern for NFL teams when considering to draft Harris but I believe he is worthy of a fourth round pick.
The Bengals stick to the offensive line on back-to-back picks and shire up the right side of the line with adding a tackle. Last year the Bengals landed OT Jonah Williams in the first round, now this year they find a guy on day three to compete for the starting right tackle position with veteran Bobby Hart.
Veterans tackles like Cordy Glenn and John Jerry who are listed as third and forth stringers respectfully may be potential cuts if the rookies show improvement early on in training camp and preseason. Adeniji comes into the Bengals organization looking to compete with backup Isaiah Prince who is going into his second NFL season.
Adeniji needs to work on his pass blocking skills but is an strong enough run blocker for the Bengals to take a shot here in the fifth round. Another issue with Adeniji is being able to stay healthy after having surgery to repair his labrum on both his shoulders after the 2017 season.
The Bengals have some young guys at linebacker but could use more depth at the position. They land Phillips who was teammates with linebacker Patrick Queen at LSU who is potentially a first round draft pick.
I believe Phillips falling to the sixth round is a steal for the Bengals as they land a linebacker who can do it all. He has excellent size and length which allows him to have more control at the point of attack, get off blocks quicker, and have a wider tackling radius.
He could easily be one of the best linebackers in this entire draft but is currently flying under the radar. Watch him move up the depth chart quickly during the 2020 season for the Bengals as I expect him to be an immediate impact.
The Bengals went with edge in the third round and with their last pick in the 2020 NFL draft they shore up the interior of the defensive line. Behind 10-year veteran Geno Atkins they lack depth at the interior of the defensive line.
Before the 2020 season the Bengals can release Atkins to save some money towards the salary cap if they choose. They would save $7.8 million on the cap for this year and that would push Andrew Billings into the number one spot unless the Bengals look to signing someone in free agency.
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Adding Benito Jones gives the Bengals another young player who can compete for a roster spot along with Josh Tupou and Ryan Glasgow, two younger playmakers at defensive tackle. The Bengals are looking to become a younger team and I defiantly can see them parting ways with Atkins to work with a younger rotation at defensive tackle in 2020.