NFL mock draft: Conference championship edition

The Cincinnati Bengals finished the season 12-4 and don’t really boast any glaring deficiencies on the field. They proved that when they continued to win despite losing their starting quarterback, Andy Dalton to a hand injury. Second-year pro A.J. McCarron was confident and efficient in the absence of the Red Rifle.

On defense they are just as stout as they finished second in scoring defense, giving up just over 17 points per game. They created turnovers and pressured opposing quarterbacks as both Geno Atkins (11) and Carlos Dunlap (13.5) were in double digits in terms of sacks this season.

With the lack of holes, this is a team that can truly select the best player available with no regards to need at all. That player would be outside linebacker/defensive end Noah Spence, who was kicked off his team at Ohio State for failing drug tests, but has since turned a corner and even been praised by his former coach Urban Meyer.

Spence has succeeded since transferring to Eastern Kentucky, but is still a risk. Cincy has proven in the past to be willing to take risks, and it has paid off with current defensive players like cornerback Adam Jones and linebacker Vontaze Burfict. With their roster, they can afford to take another risk, and this one looks like it could pay off as well.

Next: No. 25