Cincinnati Bengals 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft: Building around Burrow

By the time next April rolls around, Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell could easily be the consensus top overall prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class. He is a legitimately elite left tackle prospect who the Cincinnati Bengals should have squarely on their radar if they end up picking high in the draft. In this mock draft, the Bengals go on the clock at No. 3 and Sewell is still on the board, making this an easy selection for the team.

Jonah Williams is expected to handle left tackle duties for the Bengals after missing his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury. Williams is a rock-solid offensive lineman who should provide stability for Cincinnati at left tackle, but his presence should not deter them from taking Sewell. It is not a big deal to move Williams inside or to right tackle. Adding Sewell to the mix would allow the Cincinnati Bengals to immediately improve their offensive line situation at two positions.

Sewell is a long and athletic offensive tackle prospect who shows impressive patience and great hand usage as a pass protector. He easily takes care of most speed rushers on the edge, consistently using his wide wingspan to his advantage by forcing opposing rushers to take the long route to the quarterback.

The Oregon product also shows fantastic power at the point of attack and incredibly strong hands. His grip strength is top-notch and allows him to physically overwhelm opposing defenders once he is engaged. Sewell is a fantastic overall pass protector and is even more impressive as a run blocker.

Simply put, Sewell is the best offensive tackle prospect in recent memory. He is an elite-level player at an extremely important position. If the Cincinnati Bengals have an opportunity to add Sewell to their roster, they should do everything in their power to do so. Getting Burrow a true franchise left tackle to grow with would be tremendous for his development and the overall success of the franchise going forward.