3-Round Mock - October 2021

[*ochocincos*]

It's too early to say 100% what all the Bengals needs will be, but mocks are always fun, so here goes...

It's hard to say whether Hopkins will ever be as good as a pass blocker that he was before his ACL tear in Week 17 of last season, plus he's not exactly a Top 10 C when fully healthy either.
I do expect that (at least) one of BJ Hill and/or Larry Ogunjobi will be re-signed, so starting DT is taken care of.
I also think the Bengals will either keep Reiff or get another vet OT to replace him. There should be a few options. Same with Spain.
With Waynes already going to miss 22+ games across his first two seasons with the Bengals and entering a contract year next year, I'd strongly consider letting him go to free up $11 mill in cap to put towards a position on offense.
Not that I predict this, but I would LOVE the Bengals to take a chance on OJ Howard, who is set to hit FA this coming offseason. Howard has the speed and athleticism and more proven receiving production than the TEs currently on the Bengals roster. His big issue has been being able to stay healthy through a whole season.

For the draft, with the above considerations, I'd go with...
1) Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa - While this guy is light, he's a beast who uses his wrestling background to dominate. We all know that Iowa produces great OL, so it's a safe bet that he'll be good in the NFL.

2) Derion Kendrick, CB Clemson - Kendrick continues to grow as a DB after starting his freshman season with the Tigers as a WR. I can see someone like Kendrick filling in in place of Waynes a boundary CB opposite of Chido.

3) Thayer Munford, OL Ohio St - With my expectation that the Bengals will get their starting OL set with Linderbaum, I decided to go with a versatile backup who has the size and length to perhaps take over at RT in a couple years if warranted. He also could become a solid OG.