Cincinnati Bengals go offense-heavy in 7-round 2021 mock draft
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 5, 149th Overall
833. Scouting Report. Kentucky. C. Drake Jackson. 5. player. Pick Analysis
If the Cincinnati Bengals were going to double-dip at one position group in the 2021 NFL Draft, I think it’s safe to say it would be offensive line. So, after nabbing Sam Cosmi with their second-round selection, I have the Bengals adding more protection for Joe Burrow in the fifth with former Kentucky standout, Drake Jackson.
Jackson started 44 consecutive games at center for the Wildcats and was voted a team captain for his senior season. While not the most physically gifted guy, Jackson has still shown plenty of strength at the point of attack and is pretty consistent keeping his hands inside. His biggest strength comes between the ears, as Jackson seems to be a really instinctual guy that always knows what’s going on around him.
With Billy Price unlikely to be back in 2022, Jackson would give the Bengals some developmental depth behind Trey Hopkins for the future.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 6, 177th Overall
-Bengals trade picks 190, 235 and a 2022 7th to the New England Patriots for 177 and 242-
6. Tre’ McKitty. TE. Georgia. player. 814. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
A lot of fans feel the Cincinnati Bengals should put serious thought into drafting Kyle Pitts if the Falcons do decide to pass on the Mackey Award winner. While I don’t have them going that route in this seven-round mock draft, I do think adding an athletic tight end in the later rounds should be in play.
Former Georgia Bulldog and Florida State Seminole, Tre’ McKitty, is an intriguing option that I think would be a nice developmental option for Cincinnati in the sixth-round.
McKitty could never really carve out a significant role at the collegiate level, hauling in just 56 passes and three touchdowns in his four years. However, his stellar showing in the Senior Bowl started to perk the ears of the draft community a bit. McKitty showed crisp routes all week and brought down a couple of one-handed catches throughout the week of practices.
His raw traits make him such an interesting player that would be a fun get this late in the 2021 NFL Draft.