The Cincinnati Bengals need to reload at key positions after their Super Bowl loss. This 7-round 2022 Mock Draft helps turn concerns into strengths for 2022.
There’s little doubt that the run the Cincinnati Bengals had in 2021 was special. They were teetering on playoff participation down the stretch, and a key win over the favored Kansas City Chiefs secured the AFC North title. Fast forward three playoff games, and another win over those Chiefs, and the Bengals somehow found themselves in Super Bowl LVI against the Rams.
Cincinnati fought to the very end, and had a chance late to tie the game to send things to overtime. Despite the loss, the magic that was 2021 won’t go away. Ja’Marr Chase was excellent as a rookie, as was kicker Evan McPherson. The offense found it with the big play, and the defense was a great halftime adjustment group.
However, complacency is the enemy of progress. The Bengals need to take what they learned from their experience in the big game and put that towards reloading for contention once again.
Cincinnati Bengals 2022 Mock Draft
The first place to look? The offensive line, which allowed nine sacks to the Titans and seven sacks to the Rams. Burrow was sacked 70 total times this season, counting the playoffs. Obviously, an injury to Riley Reiff accentuated the flaws up front, but making sure there’s depth in place is important for the Bengals going forward. It could happen some in free agency, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Let’s look towards the offseason and 2022 NFL Draft by addressing the line and a few other positions for the Cincinnati Bengals in this seven round 2022 NFL Mock Draft. It’s one that features a double down at multiple positions.
Note: This mock draft was completed using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator.
Round 1, 31st Overall: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
We’ve already mentioned that the offensive line is the area the Cincinnati Bengals need to address the most in free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft. What will be interesting to watch is if the Bengals go with the “Chiefs overhaul” in addressing it or be more conservative to get the best out of an average group.
A pick in the first round that addresses the need will be telling, and that’s the way it goes here in this Bengals mock draft. The tackle group is a bit shallow at the top, and it’s possible four are off the board before the Bengals pick in the first round. Instead, they shift their focus to the interior, selecting Boston College’s Zion Johnson.
Obviously, the Bengals have spent a good amount of draft capital to get the interior right, from Jackson Carman to Hakeem Adeniji and D’Ante Smith. But, Adeniji struggled a ton this season and Carman wasn’t great filling in for him.
Johnson is a phenomenal pass protector, with excellent grip strength, power, and hand placement. His anchor is impressive, and he was often the only Eagles lineman who didn’t give up much ground in pass protection. Johnson also climbs to the second level well in the run game with good quicks and movement skills.
Round 2, 63rd Overall: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
The Cincinnati Bengals will face heavy resistance next season from the Chiefs, Bills, Chargers, and Ravens. What we’ve seen in some of these playoff games is that you’re only as good as your CB3 in the secondary. Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton likely return, but the overwhelming consensus seems to be that cutting Trae Waynes makes sense. That leaves two corners under contract for 2022.
Martin Emerson isn’t talked about a lot in this cornerback class right now. He is a taller, longer corner with a wirey frame (6’2″, 195 pounds). He’s physical in press coverage, and does a great job limiting opportunities for receivers to clear space. Emerson is great in run support, finishing as a tackler and taking on and slipping blocks when called to do so.
Round 3, 95th Overall: Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech
The double down on day two at corner should net the Cincinnati Bengals plenty to work with in terms of tools, especially in this mock. Jermaine Waller is another bigger corner at 6-foot-1, and has impressive eye discipline and transitional quickness. His transition time is efficient, and he can sink his hips well to work back to the line of scrimmage.
Waller has impressive ball skills to boot, and will turn opportunities into interceptions. In his last two full seasons, Waller has seven interceptions and 15 passes defensed.
Round 4, 134th Overall: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota State
The Cincinnati Bengals also have to address the right tackle spot opposite Jonah Williams this offseason. Cincy could still opt to bring back Reiff, or could be in the market for Terron Armstead. Either way, finding depth (or a starter) is crucial for this team.
Matt Waletzko is a perfect option on day three, and he might see his stock rise into late day two by the end of the 2022 NFL Draft process. Waletzko has very good footwork, and his pass sets look comfortable and quick. Has has impressive power to boot, and snatched and finished quite a few rushers in his time at the Senior Bowl.
Round 5, 173rd Overall: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
C.J. Uzomah sitting as a free agent makes the tight end position more interesting heading into 2022, and in a deep class, why not find another threat in the passing game to make your offense that much more dynamic?
Jelani Woods is a super intriguing prospect, listed at a whopping 6’7″ and 265 pounds. His catch radius is massive, he’s a pretty fluid mover for his size, and he’s not afraid to drop the pads at contact post-catch. Woods makes several tacklers miss every game, and he’d add plenty as a receiver to the Cincinnati Bengals, even in his rookie season.
Round 6, 207th Overall: Thomas Booker, DL, Stanford
Other than Jessie Bates, the biggest free agent to watch for the Cincinnati Bengals is defensive tackle B.J. Hill. Hill and D.J. Reader were a dynamite duo in the middle taking on blockers in the run game to free up their linebackers. If they want that success to continue, adding some more to that rotation makes sense.
Thomas Booker doesn’t flash a whole lot as a pass rusher, but he’s got good technique at the point of attack, and would bring even more juice to a group up front that plays exceptional ball against the run.
Round 7, 223rd Overall: Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
Bates and Vonn Bell have been a great duo on the back end, but the Cincinnati Bengals could use some depth at the position. Percy Butler is an intriguing player out of Louisiana. He has the versatility to play in multiple alignments, and has the ball skills to create turnovers. Butler is also a dynamite player on special teams to boot, and could be a force on that unit in year one.
Round 7, 249th Overall: T.J. Pledger, RB, Utah
The running back room for the Bengals isn’t a room that might look shallow on the surface, but it’s certainly one that could use a little more juice behind Joe Mixon. T.J. Pledger is a dynamic player out of Utah who brings the pass catching chops to the table. His short area burst will be a problem when he’s in space.