2021 NFL Draft: Three-round Cincinnati Bengals mock draft

Continuing with the theme of building around Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals could double-dip and add another offensive lineman or could look to put more weapons around their franchise quarterback. With a 32-year-old A.J. Green at the end of a contract carrying an $18 million cap hit, the Bengals decide to move on from the often injured receiver.

In what should be another loaded draft class for the receiver position, the Cincinnati Bengals select Ohio State receiver, Chris Olave with their second pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Olave, a junior, has been an impact player at Ohio State after breaking into the lineup as a freshman. As a full-time starter last fall, Olave led the Buckeyes in receiving yards and touchdowns and again looks to be Justin Fields’s most explosive target.

Olave would not be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as a direct replacement for Green, but instead gives Burrow a dynamite receiver in the same frame of Tyreek Hill or Henry Ruggs III.

Olave possesses great speed, separation ability, and footwork, making him a deep threat, a dangerous player in the open field, and would give Cincinnati options as a jet sweep runner or as a returner.

With the reliable Tyler Boyd locked down and Tee Higgins as a lengthier option, Olave gives the Cincinnati Bengals a balanced receiving group for the future. Burrow has performed exceptionally as a rookie, but Cincinnati would benefit from adding a replacement to a unit on the verge of losing A.J. Green and John Ross.