Pre-Combine Mock

[*ochocincos*]

1) Taco Charlton, DE Michigan (6'5", 272 lb) - Taco keeps rising up the boards and should put on a good show at the combine. While his whole college resumé isn't extremely impressive, he made a good leap this past season and has great traits to be a franchise 4-3 DE. He also has the size and length the Bengals prefer in DEs, which the likes of Thomas, Barnett, and McKinley don't have. His predicted ceiling is all-pro with his floor being solid starter. Given the overall lack of production we've seen from Bengal first rounders, I'd be fine with at least a solid starter (sad, right?)

2) JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR USC (6'2", 220 lb) - What I like about JJSS is that he has good size for an outside WR, will come back to the ball, and also high point the ball rather than always letting the ball come into his body. JJSS is a tough, fast WR that can play all over. He's expected to run the 40 in the high 4.4's to low 4.5's. He is a NFL-ready WR2 that would complement Green and Boyd very well.

3) Alex Anzalone, LB Florida (6'3", 238 lb) - Anzalone is a LB that can play all three spots and has the athleticism, instincts, and cover ability to be a 3-down LB in the NFL. Given how the Bengals play so much nickel defense, Anzalone would fit well.

4) Kareem Hunt, RB Toledo (5'10", 208 lb) - There are so many good RBs in this draft that a RB like Hunt who can do it all but lacks top end speed will get overlooked. However, he fits the offense the Bengals run and can contribute on all three downs.

4comp1) Danny Isidora, RG Miami (6'3", 311 lb) - This team clearly prefers its interior OL in the middle rounds. Isidora is a very experienced, well-rounded RG that could be a plug-and-play starter. Isidora has been very durable, starting 39 consecutive games at RG to end his collegiate career.

4comp2) Eddie Vanderdoes, DT UCLA (6'3", 320 lb) - The Bengals could use another DT that is stout against the run with potential upside in the pass rush to be the future backup to Billings. Vanderdoes fits the bill.

5)Jon Toth, C UK (6'5", 308 lb) - We all want Pocic or Elflein, but this Bengals org is stubborn and prefers interior OL in the middle rounds. Toth is a solid center that, while tall, plays with surprising leverage. He uses his good size and arm length to keep defenders at bay and open up lanes in the running game.

6) Zane Gonzalez, K Arizona St (6'1", 195 lb) - The best kicker in the draft. Big leg and broke the NCAA record for most career FGs made.

6comp1) Cole Hikutini, TE Louisville (6'5", 248 lb) - Hikutini has been a very versatile player for Louisville. He averaged 500 yards and 5.5 TDs the past two seasons serving as a TE, H-B, and FB. He would likely be the second-best receiving option behind Eifert from the TE position. Given how Hewitt's reps have been drastically decreasing the past two seasons, I could see Hikutini replacing him on the roster.

6comp2) De'Angelo Henderson, RB Coastal Carolina (5'7", 209 lb) - Henderson is a very similar mold to Giovani Bernard. He's a COP back that is a phenomenal receiver, but he's got enough balance and leg power to occasionally churn out tough yards in the middle. I envision DH to possibly land on the PS unless an injury happens.

7) Jerry Ugokwe, OT William & Mary (6'7", 318 lb) - Ugokwe has no shot to make the roster this year, as he's very raw. However, he's played both OT positions and comes from a pro-style offense. He's got very long arms and uses his size to keep defenders at bay. He will spend a year or two on the PS before getting a call-up to an NFL roster, but he could become a good RT if groomed properly.