Top 2021 NFL Draft needs for the Cincinnati Bengals

Edge Rusher

The Cincinnati Bengals’ pass rush is in need of a new identity going into the 2021 season. For years, the team got the lion’s share of their pass-rushing production from Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins. However, the team traded Dunlap to the Seahawks this past season and Geno Atkins is likely on his way to being cut if they can’t find a trade partner for him as well.

That leaves Carl Lawson, who is in need of a new contract, and Sam Hubbard as the team’s primary edge presence at the moment. Both players have proven to have talent but the team could use some depth behind them if they want to improve upon their low sack numbers next season.

The 2021 NFL Draft edge class doesn’t jump out at you on paper but there are a handful of players who the Bengals could target in the early to middle rounds to help amplify that unit as they look to build that new identity.

Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo loves length off the edge, so names like Jayson Oweh, Carlos Basham Jr., and Patrick Jones stand out to me as potential targets with their second or third-round pick.

Wide Receiver

With A.J. Green having likely played his last game in Cincinnati and John Ross fresh off a season where he requested a trade, the Cincinnati Bengals need to address the wide receiver position at some point in the 2021 NFL Draft.

While Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins are an exciting young duo to build off, the depth behind them without the veteran presence of Green and the big-play speed of Ross leaves a lot to be desired.

Lucky for Cincy, this is a terrific draft class to find help at receiver, as it may be even deeper than the highly regarded 2020 group. While I wouldn’t expect the Bengals to go receiver with one of their top picks, the middle rounds could still land them an immediate contributor to the thin unit.

Some potential fits that could be around between rounds 3 and 5 include Amari Rodgers, Shi Smith, and Dazz Newsome. All three would provide a spark in the slot and could help on special teams as well, which could be a big plus with current return man Alex Erickson hitting free agency.