First MDD Mock

[OSUfan]

I believe this could be a very pivotal off season for the Bengals. I would think that a consensus would be they need to strengthen the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines. The release of Rankins was a good start as he never lived up to his billing while our two rookie DTs showed very solid potential. With that said if an interior defensive stud is available then the selection is warranted for sure.

There are some very good options available on the interior offensive line in free agency and my hope is that they are aggressive in addressing both guard positions in this off season as both Cappa and Volston were miserable in '24. Even if the Bengals can manage a serious upgrade at one of the guard positions in free agency it is still a position that cannot be ignored in this draft.

So here is my first shot at a simulation on Mock Draft Database. When I entered this simulation my intent was to take the best interior defensive line player available or the player that fell to us that was not supposed to. However, when the Bengals hit the board I ended up with sitting in way better position than anticipated and it set the team up to make a trade down in the first and still be sitting in the catbird seat.

Pittsburgh offered a trade swapping first round selections as well as sending the Bengals their 3rd and 4th round selections which ended up in numerical trade value  as being the equivalent of giving up a high 3rd round selection to make the trade:

   

[OSUfan]

Following is how the simulation shook out:

   
   

[OSUfan]

Walter Nolen - DT - Ole Miss - 6'4" 296

When the Bengals went on the clock three of my prime targets were on the board in Nolen, Grant, and Tyler Warren. When Pitt offered up the trade I felt absolutely confident that the Bengals could add serious value selections while weakening Pitt later in the draft and still landing one of their coveted prospects. Pitt used the selection to draft WR Matthew Golden and the Bengals ended up landing my #1 priority selection.

Nolen is a day 1 game changer to pair with Kris Jenkins. Impressive strength generated considering his lack of mass. Excellent first step and explosion off of the snap with the ability to shed blockers while keeping himself in place to make a play. Him and Jenkins should make for an impressive young tandem on this Bengals interior and this selection him nearly perfectly in this simulation.



Donovan Jackson - OG - The Ohio State - 6'4" 315


Some feared that Jackson might hurt his draft stock by moving out of his natural position however the move and his impressive performance at LT only increased his draft value. To have Jackson on the board at 49 for the Bengals is a windfall and solidifies the LG guard position for many years to come. Very fluid and physical at the position and while not being a road grader in the run game he does have the finishers attitude. 



Mason Taylor - TE - LSU - 6'5" 251


Even if the Bengals return Mike Gesicki the setback on the injury recovery on All leaves the Bengals still needing to improve the TE position. Outside of Warren I believe Taylor is the best TE prospect in the draft. Taylor comes from an outstanding NFL bloodline and appears to bring everything to the table you are looking for in an offensive weapon at the TE position. He will need to continue to improve as an in-line blocker but that is not the role you make this selection for. He is very natural and fluid as a receiver and I believe is only beginning to scratch the surface of his ability. The Bengals add another LSU weapon to Burrow and Chase.



Carson Schwesinger - LB - UCLA - 6'2.5" 242


Carson will benefit from an NFL training program when it it comes to adding functional strength but what he brings in football IQ and coverage ability will have him on the field early. With the rumblings of Germaine Pratt the Bengals need to improve the LB room and Carson could be the guy that pairs up with Wilson and brings the ability to cover backs and TEs that Al Golden will be looking for to improve this defense.



Jacob Parrish - CB - K State - 5'10" 191


Parrish is average height for a CB but brings good length that counters the height. He is super athletic and with very good deep speed. While the Bengals should get Hill back and Ivey should be a season removed from his ACL recovery the Bengals still need to add to this room since it is hard to tell which Taylor-Britt is taking the field. Parrish has the ability to play inside or outside which could prove valuable should the Bengals not be successful in returning Mike Hilton. Parrish should be a really good addition to this room for Al Golden.



Ashton Gillotte - DE - Louisville - 6'3" 264


Gillotte is an extremely versatile DL player that primarily aligns as an edge defender but brings the natural strength and power to line up inside on passing downs. He was an extremely productive player on the Cardinals front and produced 10 TFL and 4.5 sacks in '24. He plays with naturally good pad level and has extremely violent hands. While he may not wow you with pure talent and gifts he makes up for much of it with just pure effort. 



Lathan Ransom - S - The Ohio State - 6'0" 206


Ransom is just a heady safety that brings aggressiveness, football IQ, physicality, and natural instincts to the safety position. Is a natural strong safety who have the ability to cover TEs and backs. He brings functional speed to the field and rarely finds himself out of place. Ransom shined when the spotlight was the brightest in the Buckeyes Natty run. I believe Ransom has a long productive career at the NFL level.



Nick Nash - WR - San Jose State - 6'2.5" 203


Nash brings good size and length to the position and plays much faster that his timed 40 speed. He has continued to show improvement each season as a college player and coaching staffs speak of his commitment to being a better player. Has the skillset and size to be a really productive NFL wide receiver.

[sandwedge]

I would be very happy with this draft!!

I would like to add 2 DTs in this draft, maybe the kid from Toledo maybe at 118. Do like the choice of LB in RD 4!!

[Bengalstripes9]

I like the picks but think there is no way that trade happens.

[OSUfan]

(Yesterday, 10:20 PM)sandwedge Wrote: I would be very happy with this draft!!

I would like to add 2 DTs in this draft, maybe the kid from Toledo maybe at 118. Do like the choice of LB in RD 4!!

I get what you are saying about DTs but I do not see them selecting two in this draft after selecting two last year. Especially, when Jenkins and Jackson both showed real promise.