Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock draft
By Dani Bostick
![Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reacts on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reacts on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/855085f04a07930cee7dd79d7f27f633a1f6f63ef9a5a3a283b3290628eca2b3.jpg)
The Cincinnati Bengals have had a phenomenal season. What draft picks will help them carry that momentum in to 2016?
The Cincinnati Bengals stunned the AFC North and the rest of the league by starting the season with an uncharacteristically choke-free 9-0 record. They did not lose their first game until Week 10 when they lost to the Houston Texans. They suffered their second loss the next week against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Bengals have one of the more talented, balanced teams in the entire NFL, so they have the luxury of approaching the draft free of panic and desperation, a state of mind foreign to many teams who struggled tremendously during the 2015 season and will need several years to rebuild.
With their stellar record, the Bengals will be drafting towards the end of the first round. Losing three of five games in Weeks 10 through 14 cast doubts on the Bengals ability to contend for a Super Bowl Championship, but by far the worst setback for the Bengals was the injury to Andy Dalton en route to their 33-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While there might not be a sense of urgency for the Bengals going into the 2016 draft, smart picks could help the team maintain their dominance and provide depth and insurance against injuries and suspensions. The team also has many players in contract years, so the loss of talent to free agency could be somewhat assuaged by a strong 2016 draft.
Let’s take a look at the Bengals 7-round mock draft.
Next: Round 1: WR Michael Thomas